INTERFERENCE and OBSTRUCTION

INTERFERENCE and OBSTRUCTION

Interference 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.

Obstruction The act of a defensive team member: A. Who hinders or impedes a batter from striking at or hitting a pitched ball. B. A fielder, 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 2. In the act of fielding a batted ball NOTE: Contact is not necessary to impede the progress of the runner.

SITUATION 1: With no outs, R1 on 3B and R2 on 2B, B3 hits a ground ball to F5, who deflects the batted ball toward F6. While attempting to field the deflected batted ball, F6 collides with R2 who is advancing toward 3B.

RULING: If, in the umpire s judgment, R2 intentionally interfered with F6 playing the deflected batted ball, R2 would be ruled out for interference. The ball is dead, R1 is returned to the last base touched at the time of interference and B3 is awarded 1B. On the other hand, if the umpire did not believe the contact to be intentional, this would be a no call and play continues. Rule 8 Section 7J4

SITUATION 2: B1 hits a ground ball to F5. In advancing to 1B, B1 touches (a) the white portion of the base or (b) the colored portion of the base, and collides with F3 who is about to catch a thrown ball and is touching the white portion of the base.

RULING: In (a), interference is ruled and B1 is out. During play action in which the batter runner is part of a force play at first base, B1 is required to use the colored portion of the base. In (b), obstruction is ruled and B1 is awarded first base. Rule 2 Section 3H Rule 8 section 2M 3 & 9

SITUATION 3: (FP ONLY) With one out, R1 on 3B and R2 on 1B, B3 strikes out and F2 drops the ball. B3 takes two steps toward 1B, trips and falls to the ground. F2 moves to pick up the ball and trips over B3 who is laying on the ground. R1 scores and R2 advances to 3B.

RULING: This is interference by a retired batter. B3 is out for the second out of the inning on the strike out since 1B was occupied at the time of the pitch. R1 is now declared out because R1 is the runner closest to home. Rule 8 Section 7P

SITUATION 4: With R1 at 2B, B2 swings and misses the pitch. F2 seeing R1 break for 3B on the pitch attempts to throw R1 out at 3B. B2, while remaining in the batter s s box, step back into F2 as F2 is throwing the ball to third causing it to sail over F5 s s head.

RULING: Even though B2 remained in the batter s box, B2 is guilty of actively hindering F2 s throw. This is interference, the ball is dead, B2 is out and R1 must return to 2B. Rule 7 Section 6Q

SITUATION 5: R1 on 1B and B2 hits a ground ball to F5 who throws to F4 covering 2B. R1 on their way to 2B falls down and then stands up as F4 is throwing to 1B for a double play. The ball hits R1 in the back before B2 reaches 1B.

RULING: Interference is called on R1 and B2 is called out at 1B. Rule 8 Section 7J and P

SITUATION 6: With no outs, R1 on 3B, R2 on 2B and R3 on 1B, B4 hits a hard ground ball to F6 who flips the ball to F4 on 2B to force out R3. In an attempt to turn a double play, F4 s s throw to 1B hits R3 who is sliding into 2B.

RULING: This is not interference. B2 has a clean slide into 2B. Just because F4 makes an errant throw, the offensive team should not be punished. The ball remains live and the play continues. Rule 8 Section 7J3

SITUATION 7: B1 hits a fair ground ball and is running toward 1B as F2 fields the ball and throws to 1B. The ball hits B1 in the back with (a) one foot in fair territory and one foot in the running lane or (b) with both feet in the running lane.

RULING: Interference would be judged in accordance to the body position of B1 in relationship to the ball and the running lane. If the ball makes contact with a body part inside the running lane it is not interference and the ball remains live. If the ball makes contact with a body part outside the running lane this is interference, the ball is dead and B1 is ruled out. Rule 8 Section 2E

SITUATION 8: With R1 on 2B, B2 hits safely to left field. R1 has rounded 3B and is on their way home when F7 s throw draws F2 up the line toward 3B. F2 is in the base path waiting to receive the throw when R1 slides into F2 as the ball sails over F2 s head. R1 never slowed or deviated from the path to home plate. Is this obstruction or interference?

RULING: This is obstruction and the umpire should signal a delayed dead ball when contact was made between R1 and F2. If R1 is put out before reaching home plate, the umpire will then call time and award R1 and B2 the base(s) they would have reached, had there been no obstruction. Rule 8 Section 5B

SITUATION 9: With R1 on 2B, B2 hits a line shot to right field. R1 rounds 3B and is almost home when R1 sees F2 blocking the plate. R1 takes a couple of steps wide to go around F2 when the ball arrives at the plate. Seeing this, R1 changes their direction resulting in a rundown while heading back to 3B. R1 is tagged out.

RULING: The umpire should call obstruction and signal a delayed dead ball when R1 changed their path to go around F2 on the way home. F2 does not have the right to block R1 s path while waiting to receive the throw. When R1 was tagged out, time should be called and the umpire should award R1 and B2 the base(s) they would have reached in the umpire s judgment, had there been no obstruction. Rule 8 Section 5B

SITUATION 10: (FP ONLY) R1 is on 1B when B2 misses a bunt attempt. R1 attempts to stealing 2B and gets in a rundown between 1B and 2B. F6 runs R1 back toward 1B and throws the ball to F3 causing R1 to head back toward 2B. When R1 turns to go back in that direction, R1 runs into F4 who was getting ready to make the next play. What is the call?

RULING: Obstruction occurred when R1 bumped into F4. Even though F4 was in line to receive the throw during the rundown, F4 did not have the ball at the time of contact, therefore causing obstruction. R1 is protected between 1B and 2B and if put out between those two bases, the umpire will call time and award R1 the base that the umpire believed R1 would have reached had there been no obstruction. Rule 8 section 5B

SITUATION 11: With R1 on 1B, B2 hits a hard shot to F6 who bobbles the ball but picks it up and throws to F4 who is standing on 2B for the force. Before F4 receives the throw, R1 approaches 2B standing up, makes contact causing F4 to miss F6 s throw. What is the call?

RULING: This is obstruction and the umpire should signal a delayed dead ball. When contact occurred impeding R1, F4 did not have the ball, therefore F4 must give way to R1. Rule 8 Section 5B

SITUATION 12: With R1 on 3B, B2 flies out to center field. R1 legally tags up at 3B and proceeds home. F8 s throw draws F2 up the line. R1 never slows and collides with F2 just before F2 catches the ball. F2 then tags R1 out before reaching the plate.

RULING: F2 did not have the ball in their possession at the moment of contact; therefore F2 is guilty of obstruction. The umpire should call obstruction and signal a delayed dead ball when the obstruction occurred and when F2 tags R1 out, the umpire rules the ball dead and awards R1 home. Rule 8 Section 5B

SITUATION 13: B1 hits a grounder to F6 who fields the ball and makes an errant throw to F3, pulling F3 down the line towards home. B1 is running legally in the running lane and crashes into F3 a split second after F3 catches the throw. Both R1 and F3 fall to the ground and F3 tags R1 before reaching first base.

RULING: Since F3 had possession of the ball before contact and R1 had no time to alter their path before the collision, this is neither obstruction nor interference. This is what is commonly referred to as a train wreck. R1 is out on the tag. Rule 8 Section 5B & Section 7B

SITUATION 14: With R1 on 2B, B2 hits a slow roller to F6 who is bending over to field the ball. R1 bumps up against F6 as F6 is picking up the ball. F6 then throws the ball to F3 in time to retire B2 at 1B.

RULING: This is interference and the umpire should call dead ball when contact occurs. R1 is ruled out and B2 is awarded 1B. (1- INTERFERENCE; 8-7J[1]; 8-8A) Rule 8 Section 7J1 & Section 8A

SITUATION 15: (FP ONLY) B1 bunts the ball and drops the bat while heading toward first base. The bat rolls toward the ball as the ball is coming back toward the bat in fair territory. The ball and bat make contact a second time while in fair territory. What is the ruling?

RULING: The umpire should call dead ball and rule B1 out for interference. Even though both the ball and bat are moving, the bat was moving toward the ball; therefore the bat hit the ball a second time in fair territory. Rule 8 Section 1K

SITUATION 16: With no outs and R1 on 2B, R2 on 1B, B3 hits the ball to F6 who flips the ball to F5 to retire R1 at 3B. R1 continues on to 3B and collides with F5 as F5 is throwing to 1B to try and retire B3.

RULING: This is interference by a retired runner. The ball is dead and R2, the closest runner to home, is called out. B3 is awarded 1B. Rule 8 Section 7J4 & Section P

SITUATION 17: With R1 on 1B, B2 swings and misses the pitch. B2 steps out of the batter s box while F2 chases the ball back to the screen and throws to 3B to attempt to retire R1 who has rounded 2B on her way to 3B. The ball ricochets off B2 s batting helmet and enters the 3B dugout.

RULING: B2 is guilty of interference, the ball is dead, B2 is out and R1 is returned to 2B. Rule 7 Section 6P

SITUATION 18: With no outs, R1 on 3B and R2 on 1B, B3 flies out to F9. R1 legally tags up at 3B, but R2 took off for 2B without properly tagging up. F9 throws the ball to F3 trying to retire R2 who is half way to 2B, attempting to return to 1B. The throw is off the mark and as F3 moves to retrieve the ball, R2 and F3 collide, knocking F3 to the ground. R1 scores after the collision and R2 returns to 1B to tag up and then continues to 2B.

RULING: F3 did not have possession of the ball at the time of the collision with R2 and therefore, is guilty of obstruction. B3 is out on the fly ball and the umpire should call obstruction and signal a delayed dead ball when the collision occurred. R1 s run scores and R2 cannot be put out between 1B and 2B. Rule 8 Section 5B

SITUATION 19: With no outs, R1 on 3B and R2 on 1B, B3 flies out to F9. R1 legally tags up at 3B, but R2 took off for 2B without properly tagging up. F9 throws the ball to F3 trying to retire R2 who is half way to 2B, attempting to return to 1B. The throw is off the mark and as F3 moves to retrieve the ball, B3 and F3 collide, knocking F3 to the ground. R1 scores after the collision and R2 returns to 1B to tag up and then continues to 2B.

RULING: B3 is guilty of interference after being put out. The ball is dead and R1, the runner closest to home, is called out. R2 must return to 1B. Rule 8 section 7P