Interference / Obstruction

Topics

• Interference• Obstruction• Case Plays

Interference Defined

The act of an offensive player or team member, umpire or spectator that

impedes, hinders, or confuses a defensive player attempting to

execute a play. Contact is not necessary.

Types of Interference

• On-Deck Batter• Batter• Batter-Runner• Runner• Aiding a Runner• Coach• Spectator• Umpire

When Interference Occurs

1. Signal Dead Ball• Exceptions Umpire Interference &

Aiding a Runner

2. Someone is called out• Except Umpire Interference

3. Return runners not out to last base touched at the time of the Interference.

4. All outs made on the play stand.

Obstruction Defined• The act of a defensive team member:

A. Who hinders or impedes a batter from striking at or hitting a pitched ball

B. Who impedes the progress of a runner or batter-runner who is legally running the bases unless the fielder is:1. In possession of the ball or2. In the act of fielding a batted ball

NOTE: Contact is not necessary to impede the progress of a runner or the batter-runner

Items Necessary for Obstruction

1. Fielder blocks the offensive player’s base path without possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding a batted ball

2. The fielder’s position must hinder or impede the offensive player

Items to Remember

• Obstructed runners can not be put out between the two bases where they were obstructed– Except: If there is a subsequent play on another

runner If they interfere or pass another runner. If they miss a base or leave a base too

early on a caught fly ball – properly appeal

Items to Remember• Obstructed runner is put out prior to reaching

the base…– Signal dead ball– Award the obstructed runner and any other runners

affected by the obstruction the base(s) they would have reached had there been no obstruction

• If the obstructed runner is put out after passing the base…or advanced beyond the two bases where the obstruction occurred– The out stands– The ball remains live

When Obstruction Occurs1. Signal delayed dead ball and verbalize

“Obstruction”• How long should the signal be held?

2. Protect the runners to the base they would have reached had there been no obstruction

3. If the obstructed runner is put out prior to reaching the base …, or between the two bases where they were obstructed, call “Dead Ball” and award the runners the bases) they would have reached in the umpire’s judgment had there been no obstruction

Play 1B1 bunts the pitch

out in front of home plate. As

B1 starts running toward 1B, B1

kicks the ball with their right foot,

while the left foot remains in the batter’s box.

What is the call? Rule 8, Section 2F[4]

Play 2With two outs and

R1 on 3B, B4 attempts a squeeze

bunt and misses the pitch. R1

continues home and slides for the plate. B4 remains in the batter’s box as F2 attempts to apply a tag to R1. What is the call? Rule 7, Section 6S

Play 3With no outs and

R1 on 1B, B2 squares to bunt the pitch but instead

pulls the bat barrel back into F2’s face as R1 attempts to steal 2B. What is

the call?

Rule 7, Section 6S

Play 4aWith one out, R1 on 2B and R2 on

1B, B4 hits a ground ball up the middle. F6 moves toward the batted ball and collides

with R1. R1 falls to the ground and

R2 passes R1 advancing to 3B. What is the call? Rule 8, Section 5B; 7D

Play 4bWith one out, R1 on 2B and R2 on

1B, B4 hits a ground ball up the middle. F6 moves toward the batted ball and collides

with R1. R1 falls to the ground and

R2 passes R1 advancing to 3B. What is the call? Rule 8, Section 7J[1]

Play 5aWith no outs, B1 bunts the ball fair, in front of home

plate. As B1 leaves the batter’s box on the way to 1B, F2 moves out to field the batted ball and collides with B1. What is

the call?Rule 8, Section 2F[1]

Play 5bWith no outs, B1 bunts the ball fair, in front of home

plate. As B1 leaves the batter’s box on the way to 1B, B1 kicks the batted ball in fair territory. What is

the call?

Rule 8, Section 2F[4]

Play 5cWith no outs, B1

bunts the ball foul, in front of home

plate. As B1 leaves the batter’s box on the way to 1B, B1 kicks the batted ball in foul territory. What is

the call?

Rule 1: FOUL BALL

Play 6With 2 outs, no

runners on and a 3-2 count, B3

swings and misses the pitch. The ball ricochets off F2’s shin guard out in front of the plate. B3 kicks the ball on her way to 1B. What is the call?

Rule 8, Section 2F[6]

Play 7With 2 outs and bases loaded, B6

swings and misses the pitch. B6’s bat knocks the ball out

of F2’s glove on the follow

through. R1 seeing the ball roll away

from F2 breaks for home and scores. What is the call? Rule 7, Section 6S

Play 8

With 1 out and R1 on 1B, B3 hits a

fly ball to F9. As F9 catches the ball

the 1B coach pushes R1 toward 2B. What is the

call?

Rule 8, Section 7E

Play 9

With no outs, B1 hits the ball back to F1 who hurries

the throw.  F3 loses her

balance, falling as B1 approaches

1B.  What is the call?

Rule 8, Section 5B

Play 10With 1 out and R1 on 1B, B3 hits a fly

ball to F9. F9 catches the ball and throws to F3 on 1B to pickoff R1. F3 misses the ball that hits the defensive coach sitting on a bucket in live ball territory. What is

the call?Rule 8, Section 5G;

Rule 1: BLOCKED BALL

Questions?