Other Late swing

[gfshark]

High School Fast pitch softball. Runner on 1st, begins to steal 2nd. The pitch is taken by the batter, the ball is in the catchers glove and she is ready to begin throw to 2nd base. Batter then swings deliberately late, which impedes the catcher's ability to throw. Is this batter interference? Our umpire said "no" - reason was that the player has the right to swing?

 

[Comp]

Batter has the right to swing at a pitched ball. Once the ball is past the batter and in the catchers glove, it is no longer a pitched ball and if the batter impedes the catcher from making a play it should be interference.

 

[NCASAUmp]

I agree. It's going to be umpire's judgment as to whether she was swinging late to hinder the defense.