Umpire mechanic for catchers interference

Umpire calls out interference and continues to officiate play. It’s a delayed dead ball, so the awards, if any take place after all playing action. It is up to the offensive coach to pick the result of the play or stick with his guys returning to base and batter-runner awarded first.

It is key that umpires understand this rule. If they signal a play dead too early, it could create a bad situation.

If the umpire calls catcher’s interference on a swing that results in a foul ball, can the offensive manager choose to accept the foul ball instead of the batter being put on first base? In other words, does a foul ball — or swing and a miss — meet the criteria for a “play” that can be accepted by the offensive manager instead of the CI award of the batter advancing to 1B.

Yes. The team can accept the result of the play.

djorissen:
If the umpire calls catcher’s interference on a swing that results in a foul ball, can the offensive manager choose to accept the foul ball instead of the batter being put on first base? In other words, does a foul ball — or swing and a miss — meet the criteria for a “play” that can be accepted by the offensive manager instead of the CI award of the batter advancing to 1B.

The offensive coach can decline the award.

A catcher can ‘block’ the plate if he’s in the act of receiving the ball.    When does that act begin?    I say it begins the moment it leaves the throwers hand.

Generally regarded as the last 60 ft of ball flight.  Imagine in MLB an outfielder who can throw the ball 350 ft towards home…you wouldn’t start saying the catcher is protected when the fielder releases the ball that far away.