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
•
•
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•
•
•
•
•
On-Deck Batter
Batter
Batter-Runner
Runner
Aiding a Runner
Coach
Spectator
Umpire
When Interference
Occurs
1. Signal Dead Ball
• Exceptions are Umpire Interference
and Aiding a Runner
2. Someone is called out
• Except Umpire Interference
3. Return runner(s) not out as a
result of the Interference to last
base(s) touched at the time of the
Interference. 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 or
2. In the act of making an initial play on a batted
ball 8-2-6
NOTE: Contact is not necessary to impede
the progress of a runner or the
batter-runner
Items Necessary for
Obstruction
1. Fielder must block the offensive
player’s chosen 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
NOTE: If the fielder doesn’t hinder or
impede the offensive player there is no
obstruction. This is umpire judgment.
Items to Remember
• Obstructed runners can not be put out
between the two bases where they were
obstructed
– Unless there is a subsequent play on
another runner, interference or they pass
another runner. If properly appealed for
missing a base, or leaving a base too early
on a caught fly ball or batter-runner flies
out for the third out, when the batter-runner
is obstructed and she flies out
Items to Remember
• If the obstructed runner is put out prior to
reaching the base which would have been
reached had there been no obstruction
– 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 which would have been reached had
there been no obstruction or advanced beyond
the two bases where the obstruction occurred
– The out stands
– The ball remains live
When Obstruction Occurs
1. Signal delayed dead ball and verbalize
“Obstruction”
•
How long should the signal be held?
2. Protect the runner(s) to the base(s) they would
have reached had there been no obstruction
3. If the obstructed runner is put out prior to
reaching the base they would have reached
had there been no obstruction, or between the
two bases where they were obstructed, call
“Dead Ball” and award the runner(s) the
base(s) they would have reached in the
umpire’s judgment had there been no
obstruction
Play 1
B1 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?
Dead ball, batter is out
for Interference
Rule 8, Section 2 Art6
Play 2
With two outs and
R1 on 3B, B4
attempts a squeeze
bunt and misses
the pitch. R1
continues home
and slides for the
Dead ball,
plate. B4 remains
in the batter’s box batter out for Interference,
as F2 attempts to
R1 returns to 3B
apply a tag to R1.
Rule 7, Section 4 Art 4
What is the call?
Play 3
With 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?
Dead ball,
Batter out for interference,
R1 returns to 1B
Rule 7, Section 4 Art 4
Play 4a
With one out, R1
on 2B and R2 on
1B, B4 hits a
ground ball up the
middle. F6 moves
toward the batted Award R1 and R2 the bases
ball and collides they would have obtained had
with R1. R1 falls
there been
no
obstruction.
More
Dead
ball
when
play
to the ground and
and R2
haslikely
endedR1
or at
thehome
obstructed
R2 passes R1 than
runner at
is 3B.
tagged out.
advancing to 3B.
8-4-3B;
8-6-4
What is the call?
Obstruction
signaled
Play 4b
With 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
Dead
when
out ball
for interference.
advancing to 3B. Runner
interference
8, Section occurs
6 Art 10a
What is the call? Rule
With 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?
Play 5a
B1 is out for interference
Rule 8, Section 2 Art 6
With 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?
Play 5b
B1 is out for interference
Rule 8, Section 2 Art 6
With 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?
Play 5c
Rule 2-25-1d: FOUL BALL
With 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?
Play 6
B3 is out for interference
Rule 8, Section 2 Art 6
With 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?
Play 7
B6 is out for interference
R1 returns to 3B
Rule 7, Section 4 Art 4
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?
R1 is out for being
physically assisted.
(ball remains live)
Rule 8, Section 6 Art5
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?
F1 is guilty of
obstruction
Rule 8, Section 4 Art 3b
Play 10
With 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?
Dead ball, R1 is
awarded 2 bases
Rule 8, Section 4 Art 3f;
Rule 2-2-3: BLOCKED BALL
Special Thanks
• Players
– Tori Martin
– Whitney Estes
– Taylor Dykins
– Indiana Dreams
– Indiana Gators
• Umpires
– Tony Greer
– David Chandler
Questions?