Batter steps out of the box during the pitch.

2 strikes. It should have been a strikeout.

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So it’s a strike out before Neal ever catches the ball. What was the count?

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Something and 2 (with at least 1 foot clearly out of the box, arguably 2 depending on whether the call is from when the ball is released or caught)



I just want someone to acknowledge that the batter abandoned the box and explain how you can interfere with a batter who has stepped out (the batter takes his first step back well before Neal steps forward. That foot is roughly on the line and not “out” of the box entirely, but I think it is “out” in spirit at least. Then the second foot goes out of the box (or the second foot moves and lands outside the box, you could say) as Neal jumps forward (with one foot landing more forward than the most posterior portion of the plate white not stepping on the plate and leaving the “front” of the plate open for the runner to score).

Rule 7 d. 1) d) gives an exception when a batter may step out with no penalty:

A defensive player attempts a play on a runner at ANY base.

It’s clear the catcher was making a defensive attempt at a runner on home.”; therefore no penalty. Though it doesn’t stop him from calling a ball/strike on the actual pitch. Unfortunately the ball/interference happened to negate the pitch.