The Phillies and Diamondbacks played at Chase Field on September 19, 2025. In the top of the sixth, Nick Castellanos struck out looking on a 3-2 pitch from Jalen Beeks with Brandon Marsh on first base and one out. Marsh stole second on the pitch. After Castellanos struck out, he walked into the throwing lane of D-backs catcher Gabriel Moreno. I was asked the following questions: Why wasn’t Castellanos called out for batter interference? Should Marsh also have been called out if Castellanos interfered after striking out?

Ruleball Comments

• To call a batter out for interference, the catcher must make a throw unless a collision occurs between the batter and the catcher.
• The term attempt to throw is not specifically defined, but based on anecdotal evidence, I believe umpires generally expect to see some degree of arm action from the catcher. I don’t think Moreno met that requirement.
• In my opinion, if a batter steps into the path of a catcher who is attempting to retire a runner stealing a base, the catcher should initiate contact with the batter and make a throw—even if it’s not a strong one. When a batter is called out for interference after striking out, both the batter and the runner being played on are declared out.

Rich Marazzi

Rules consultant/analyst: Angels, Dodgers, Mets, Nationals, Orioles, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Rangers, Royals, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Yankees, YES, and Chicago Sports Network