In the simplest of terms, interference is a penalty. Searchable highlight areas of interest make notes desktop laptop. As well, there are different rules for obstruction, and they are applied differently at different levels. Infield fly rule october 5, 2012 an infield fly is a fair fly ball not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, orfirst, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out.
If youve ever seen an umpire rule book, youll appreciate the convenience of this baseball resource. Little league has made this abundantly clear in make the right call, a little league publication with commentary on how the rules should be applied. Decide at that time what base you believe the runner is likely to reach, had it not been for the obstruction. The foul strike rule 1901 and 1903 foul balls didnt count as strikes until 1901 in the national league and 1903 in the american league. Be outside the designated dugout or bench area if not a batter, runner, on deck batter, in the coachs box or one of the nine players on defense. Completely updated for 1999, this is the official rule book used by major league umpires as well as other professional and amateur baseball organizations. Meadows place pony baseball ground rules pinto division 68.
What does the rule book say about the upper part o. Softball panel approves changes to ncaa obstruction rule. Answers to frequently asked questions baseball rules. Such devices make structures more visible to aircraft, and are usually used at night, although they may be used during the day. The indians supported this final assertion with case law that applied the baseball rule to a situation in which a spectator was distracted by a mitigating circumstance nonbaseball events. All portions of this particular page and the pages of the official major league rules book are sole property of major league baseball and have been reproduced without any alteration by baseball almanac who first obtained the. If a game is postponed due to weather, or availability of lights, etc. Thirdbase umpire jim joyce called obstruction and the rest is history.
Official baseball rules sporting news, sporting news. That is, in little league a fake tag can be considered obstruction, but it is never considered such beyond high. Interference is a broad rule book term that refers to a number of illegal actions that occur during a contest to change the course of the game. In baseball, obstruction is when a fielder illegally hinders a baserunner running within the basepath. After this rules adoption, offense plummeted, strikeouts zoomed and a pitchingdominated decade was born. The rule applies to all levels of play varsity, jr. Official rule and does not require a reader to refer to different sections of the official baseball rules book in considering the application of a particular rule. Aircraft warning lights are highintensity lighting devices attached to tall structures as collision avoidance measures. The first baseman was in the base path obstructing the runners easy return. Elliot hopkins, mld, caa director of sports, sanctioning and student services. Defining interference and obstruction little league. Previously, curfews and the absence of adequate lighting caused more ties. In such cases, the umpires shall award the runner the base because of the obstruction by the fans.
Obstruction refers to a fielder who hinders a runner. Digital rule book a game changer for baseball fans kane. The 2014 revision to the official baseball rules, in renumbering the rules, has disposed of the timehonored type a and type b obstruction. If the batterrunner has not reached first base, runners remain at their bases held at the timeofpitch. Obstruction is simply defined as an act by which a fielder hinders or impedes the batter or runner, provided that the fielder is not fielding a batted ball or if he is not in possession of the ball. Except as may be specifically noted in this rules book, the nfhs. Observe the obstruction and allow the play to continue.
Baseball rules news newspapers books scholar jstor october 2015 learn how and when to remove this template message. Use of any object in the coachs box other than a stop watch, rule book hard copy and scorebook. If a fielder is about to receive a thrown ball and if the ball is in flight directly toward and near enough to the fielder so he must occupy his position to. Baseball isnt typically considered a contact sport, thanks in large part to one rule. All portions of this particular page and the pages of the official major league rules book are sole property of major league baseball and have been reproduced without any alteration by baseball almanac who first obtained the written permission of the office of the commissioner. Obstruction and the related base awards and amount of protection always seem to be confusing on the field and in the classroom whenever discussing the rule. The national federation rule book specifications are. Obstruction is an act by which the defensive team impedes the batting team from advancing around the bases section 2.
The pitch count is based on pitches thrown to the batters during their time at bat. The only time that a fielder is not obligated to get out of the way of a baserunner is when the fielder is fielding a hit ball or in possession of the ball. When all play stops, enforcement depends on the final play outcome. Obstruction and interference are rule violations that occur in the field of play, typically involving base runners. It is worth noting that the latter is also incorrectly used to refer to fan obstruction for instance a spectator running onto the field and tackling a. Ncaa adds pitch clock for paceofplay obstruction rule altered 2011 notes from gene mcartor differences, requirements of baserunning appeals background check info runner hit by batted ball in foul ground appeals and batter interference rules clarified keep em in the dugout pitchers glove and rosin bag pause in windup rules quiz collision rule half swings catches. Playing rules little league little league baseball and.
Ncaa softball rules book, including a complete reorganization only those changes that. Interference can be committed by the team at the plate or the team in the field, as well as by players not even in the game at the time, an umpire, a fan, or another individual not associated with the team. Highlights from the little league rule book little league baseball rule highlights. Official regulations, playing rules, and operating policies for all divisions of baseball, softball, and challenger all in one app. Baseball rule suffers another blow in foul ball case. Specifically, the indians relied on an ohio case harting v. When an arbiter is needed to settle disputes regarding baseball rules, this is the book to consult. Onetime download with automatic updates for future seasons. Baseballs unwritten rules and its ignoreatyourownrisk code of conduct, author ross bernstein has pulled back the curtain on baseballs tacit rules regarding retaliation, sportsmanship, and intimidation. There are quirks at every level of this game, from mlb to little league. Requests for baseball rule interpretations or explanations should be directed to the state. Obstruction occurs when fielder does not have possession of the ball or is not in the act of fielding a ball but impedes the runner who is legally running between bases. When the lights are restored, runners are allowed to run bases in. A game which is stopped after the 4th inning, but not in a complete.
Obstruction describes an act by a fielder, who is not in possession of the ball or in the process of fielding it, that impedes the. The terms interference and obstruction are often misunderstood and confused by managers, coaches, and umpires alike. Position players cannot block a base including home plate without the ball or an obstruction. Baseball rules academy exists to simplify this crazy game. While umpiring at the 2014 spanish fork halloween havoc tournament 10u girls fast pitch championship game the runner rounded first and headed towards second base. Baseball rules academy the rules of baseball, explained. The distance from home base to the nearest fence, stand or other obstruction on. Lets look at the following play to determine how to rule on obstruction in all. Let me start with some very basic definitions to avoid confusion as you read the rest of the article. When the ball is not dead on obstruction and an obstructed runner advances beyond the base which. Obstruction and interference little league umpiring. The rule change clarifies the rule and seeks to remove any gray area for plays of that nature. A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall not. Obstruction asa ruling does the runner automatically.
If the umpire declares the batter, batterrunner, or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return to the last base that was in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at. The casebook of little league baseball and softball, examples of interference and obstruction illustrate and help to define the difference between these two judgment calls. The result of dozens of interviews with some of the biggest names in the game, this work is a systematic description of every major unwritten rule in the game todayfrom. The rules of baseball differ slightly from league to league, but in general share the same basic. Elliot hopkins, mld, caa, editor nfhs publications to maintain the sound traditions of this sport, encourage sportsmanship and minimize the inherent risk of injury, the national federation of state high school associations writes playing rules for varsity competition among. This is referred to as protecting the runner to a base.
When a spectator or other person not associated with one of the teams including such staff as bat boys or ball girls alters play in progress, it is spectator interference, colloquially called fan interference. Electronic scorebook must be used only in the bench area. Order the lights turned on whenever he believes darkness could make. When the obstruction occurs, the umpire shall call or signal obstruction. In fact, if contact occurs before the fielder has the ball, then the fielder is probably guilty of obstruction. Part dto include additional situations when spectator interference may be. These lights need to be of sufficient brightness to be visible for miles around the structure. Today, we will cover obstruction and interference and the difference between them. Runners lane the panel approved a rule requiring that the runners lane be drawn on the field down the first base line, reverting to the rule that was in place in 2014 and 2015. In professional baseball official baseball rules or obr, obstruction is the act of any fielder who, not in possession of the ball nor in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. An obstruction may also be called against a catcher if he obstructs the batter who attempts to. Ncaa softball rules book, including a complete reorganization only those. Site glossary definitions from the little league rule book and terms used on this site. Obstruction describes an act by a fielder, who is not in possession of the ball or in the.
Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders, or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. Obstruction is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. Baserunners are generally permitted to run from base to base without being physically blocked or hindered by a fielder. And understanding them will help you become a true baseball expert. A distance of 320 feet or more along the foul lines, and 400 feet or more to center. Refer to the official pony rule book for specific approved bats.
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