Interference Obstruction Topics Interference Obstruction Case Plays Interference

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-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 B 1 bunts the pitch out in front of home plate. As B 1 starts running toward 1 B, B 1 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 Art 6

Play 2 With two outs and R 1 on 3 B, B 4 attempts a squeeze bunt and misses the pitch. R 1 continues home and slides for the Dead ball, plate. B 4 remains in the batter’s box batter out for Interference, as F 2 attempts to R 1 returns to 3 B apply a tag to R 1. Rule 7, Section 4 Art 4 What is the call?

Play 3 With no outs and R 1 on 1 B, B 2 squares to bunt the pitch but instead pulls the bat barrel back into F 2’s face as R 1 attempts to steal 2 B. What is the call? Dead ball, Batter out for interference, R 1 returns to 1 B Rule 7, Section 4 Art 4

Play 4 a With one out, R 1 on 2 B and R 2 on 1 B, B 4 hits a ground ball up the middle. F 6 moves toward the batted Award R 1 and R 2 the bases ball and collides they would have obtained had with R 1 falls there been no obstruction. More Dead ball when play to the ground and than likely R 1 at home and R 2 has ended or the obstructed R 2 passes R 1 at 3 B. runner is tagged out. advancing to 3 B. 8 -4 -3 B; 8 -6 -4 What is the call? Obstruction signaled

Play 4 b With one out, R 1 on 2 B and R 2 on 1 B, B 4 hits a ground ball up the middle. F 6 moves toward the batted ball and collides with R 1 falls to the ground and R 2 passes R 1 Dead ball when advancing to 3 B. Runner out for interference occurs What is the call? Rule 8, Section 6 Art 10 a

With no outs, B 1 bunts the ball fair, in front of home plate. As B 1 leaves the batter’s box on the way to 1 B, F 2 moves out to field the batted ball and collides with B 1. What is the call? Play 5 a B 1 is out for interference Rule 8, Section 2 Art 6

With no outs, B 1 bunts the ball fair, in front of home plate. As B 1 leaves the batter’s box on the way to 1 B, B 1 kicks the batted ball in fair territory. What is the call? Play 5 b B 1 is out for interference Rule 8, Section 2 Art 6

With no outs, B 1 bunts the ball foul, in front of home plate. As B 1 leaves the batter’s box on the way to 1 B, B 1 kicks the batted ball in foul territory. What is the call? Play 5 c Rule 2 -25 -1 d: FOUL BALL

Play 6 With 2 outs, no runners on and a 3 -2 count, B 3 swings and misses the pitch. The ball ricochets off F 2’s shin guard out in front of the plate. B 3 kicks the ball on her way to 1 B. What is the call? B 3 is out for interference Rule 8, Section 2 Art 6

With 2 outs and bases loaded, B 6 swings and misses the pitch. B 6’s bat knocks the ball out of F 2’s glove on the follow through. R 1 seeing the ball roll away from F 2 breaks for home and scores. What is the call? Play 7 B 6 is out for interference R 1 returns to 3 B Rule 7, Section 4 Art 4

Play 8 With 1 out and R 1 on 1 B, B 3 hits a fly ball to F 9. As F 9 catches the ball the 1 B coach pushes R 1 toward 2 B. What is the call? R 1 is out for being physically assisted. (ball remains live) Rule 8, Section 6 Art 5

Play 9 With no outs, B 1 hits the ball back to F 1 who hurries the throw. F 3 loses her balance, falling as B 1 approaches 1 B. What is the call? F 1 is guilty of obstruction Rule 8, Section 4 Art 3 b

Play 10 With 1 out and R 1 on 1 B, B 3 hits a fly ball to F 9 catches the ball and throws to F 3 on 1 B to pickoff R 1. F 3 misses the ball that hits the defensive coach sitting on a bucket in live ball territory. What is the call? Dead ball, R 1 is awarded 2 bases Rule 8, Section 4 Art 3 f; 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?