National Federation of State
High School Associations
NFHS Softball
TEACHING
INTERFERENCE
&
OBSTRUCTION
Take Part. Get Set For Life.™
TEACHING INTERFERENCE
& OBSTRUCTION
Define terms using Rule 2:
Definitions
Site rule and references for
specific violation
Highlight important teaching
points
TEACHING INTERFERENCE
& OBSTRUCTION
Give the penalty for the
violation
Demonstrate proper
mechanic of rule
enforcement
Involve the audience
TEACHING INTERFERENCE
& OBSTRUCTION
INTERFERENCE
Interference is an act (physical or
verbal) by a member of the team at
bat who illegally impedes, hinders or
confuses any fielder; or when a
runner creates malicious contact
with any fielder with or without the
ball, in or out of the baseline
TEACHING INTERFERENCE
& OBSTRUCTION
Categories of Interference:
•Umpire
•Spectator
•Batter
•Coaches
•Runner
•Batter-Runner
•On-Deck Batter
TEACHING INTERFERENCE
& OBSTRUCTION
Elements to Consider:
•Was the defensive player
• Making the “initial play?”
• Attempting to throw the ball?
•Was the batter-runner in the
three-foot lane?
•Did the batter move after the
catcher received the pitch?
TEACHING INTERFERENCE
& OBSTRUCTION
•Did interference occur
before or after the offensive
player was out?
•Did the offense impede,
hinder or confuse?
TEACHING INTERFERENCE
& OBSTRUCTION
When interference occurs:
1. Signal a dead ball.
2. Someone is always called
“out.”
Exception: Umpire Interference
3.Return base runner(s) to the last
touched base at the time of the
infraction.
TEACHING INTERFERENCE
& OBSTRUCTION
OBSTRUCTION:
Obstruction is the act of the defensive
team that hinders or impedes a batter’s
attempt to make contact with a pitched
ball or that impedes the progress of a
runner or batter-runner who is legally
running bases, unless the fielder is in
possession of the ball or is making the
initial play on a batted ball. The act may
be intentional or unintentional, physical
or verbal.
TEACHING INTERFERENCE
& OBSTRUCTION
Categories of Obstruction:
•Catcher
•Defensive Player
TEACHING INTERFERENCE
& OBSTRUCTION
 For obstruction to occur:
1.
2.
A defensive player must (a) hinder a
batter from hitting a pitched ball or (b)
block the batter-runner’s or runner’s
access to a base without being in
possession of the ball or making the
initial play.
AND
The offensive player must have been
hindered or impeded in some way.
TEACHING INTERFERENCE
& OBSTRUCTION
Obstructed runner CANNOT
be put out between the two
bases where obstructed,
EXCEPT:
1. Obstructed runner obtains the
base they would have reached
and a subsequent play on
another runner occurs.
TEACHING INTERFERENCE
& OBSTRUCTION
2. An act of interference.
3. Passing another runner.
4. When the batter flies out for the
third out.
5. The batter-runner is obstructed
between two bases and flies out.
6. If properly appealed, missing a
base or leaving a base too soon
on a fly ball.
TEACHING INTERFERENCE
& OBSTRUCTION
When obstruction occurs:
1. Signal a delayed dead ball.
2. Protect the runner(s) to the
base(s) they would have
reached had there been no
obstruction.
TEACHING INTERFERENCE
& OBSTRUCTION
If the runner is put out prior
to reaching the base she
would have reached had
there been no obstruction:
1. Ball is dead.
2. Award the obstructed runner, and
all other runners effected, the
base(s) they would have reached
had there been no obstruction.
TEACHING INTERFERENCE
& OBSTRUCTION
 If the obstructed runner is put out
after passing the base she would
have reached had there been no
obstruction or advanced beyond the
two bases where obstruction
occurred:
1. The out stands.
2. The ball remains live.
TEACHING INTERFERENCE
& OBSTRUCTION
 DEMONSTRATE EXAMPLES:
•
•
•
•
•
Videos
Diagramming
Audience Participation
Live Demonstrations
Case Plays
 PLAY: With no outs and R1 on 2B and R2 on
1B, B3 hits a sharp line drive to F6. R1 takes
off to 3B as F6 fields the balls and throws to
F4 at 2B. The ball hits R1 in the right
shoulder, just two or three steps after leaving
2B, and travels to the outfield.
What is the Ruling?
 RULING: Unless R1 intentionally interfered
with the thrown ball (after the release) this is a
“no call” and the ball remains live.
 (Rule 8-6-10d)
National Federation of State
High School Associations
QUESTIONS?
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