ALCS Interference? Umpire Laz Diaz's INT No-Call in Astros-Red Sox & JD Martinez's Strike Out

When HP Umpire Laz Diaz called JD Martinez out on strikes, it set off a chain of controversy that ended with both Boston and Houston managers on the field arguing the same play. Article: https://www.closecallsports.com/2021/10/interference-in-boston-laz-diazs-astros.html With Red Sox runner Alex Verdugo on first base, batter Martinez took a 3-2 fastball from Astros pitcher Cristian Javier for a called third strike. With Verdugo running on the pitch, Astros catcher Martin Maldonado prepared to possibly throw to second base to retire Verdugo, but Maldonado never made that throw. In this analysis, we look at potential interference by retired batter Martinez and try to dissect what the criteria are for determining whether to call INT. While a throw isn't required for interference on this play, it sure helps and quite considerably so. By throwing, the catcher leaves no doubt in the umpire's mind as to their intent on the play: they want to throw the runner out. But by not throwing, for whatever reason, Maldonado gives the umpire ample doubt. Did the throw not happen because the catcher thought it was ball four (the computer strike zone thought so too)? Was it because Verdugo had an excellent jump and was going to be safe at second anyway? Or was it, lastly, because JD Martinez interfered? With this doubt, that opens the door to umpire judgment and Diaz here must have judged that the retired batter's actions did not impede or hinder the catcher from playing on the runner. Rule citations are OBR 6.01(a)(5) [professional baseball], NCAA 6-3-b [college], and NFHS 7-3-5 [high school ball].