What is defensive interference in baseball?

Defensive interference is an act by a fielder that hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch. (c) Catcher Interference. The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided he advances to and touches first base) when the catcher or any fielder interferes with him.

What is the interference rule in baseball?

Interference can also be called on the offensive team if a batter hinders the catcher after a third strike when the ball is not caught, a batter intentionally deflects any foul ball, and a baserunner hinders a following play being made on another runner after having scored or been put out.

What is the difference between interference and obstruction in baseball?

One key distinction between interference and obstruction: Interference is defined as a violation of either the offense or the defense; obstruction can only be committed by the defense.

What does offensive interference mean in baseball?

Offensive interference is defined in the Major League rule book (OBR) in the section Definitions (interference): "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.

What happens if a baserunner runs into a fielder?

a. When a runner is called out for crashing into a fielder holding the ball, the ball becomes dead. Each runner must return to the last base touched at the time of interference.

Obstruction vs Interference in Professional Baseball - Basic Overview

Can first baseman Block bag?

Blocking a portion of the bag with a foot is obstruction. You can change up this scenario in a dozens of ways, move it to any base, and you get the same result. The point is, a fielder without possession of the ball cannot deny access to a base to a runner advancing or retreating.

Can you charge the catcher in baseball?

The new rule, 7.13, states "a runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate)." A runner violating the rule shall be declared out, even if the fielder drops the ball.

Is defensive indifference a stolen base?

(This generally occurs very late in the contest, with the defensive team ahead by more than one run. The defense -- not wanting to play out of position -- doesn't cover the base and, as a result, the ruling is "defensive indifference" rather than a stolen base.)

What is backswing interference?

NFHS defines backswing interference as when a batter contacts the catcher or his equipment prior to the time of the pitch (2-21-5).

Is obstruction on offense or defense in baseball?

Obstruction refers to a fielder who hinders a runner. In the simplest of terms, interference is a 'penalty' against the offense, and obstruction is a penalty against the defense.

Can a 2nd baseman block the base?

However, if the umpire rules that the second baseman does not have a legitimate play on the ball (i.e., the second baseman was merely moving in the direction of a loose ball), then obstruction is called under Official Baseball Rule 6.01(h)(2).

Does a battery have to move on a throw to third?

With a right-handed batter at bat and a runner on third base, the batter does not have to give the catcher a throwing lane on a pickoff throw. In both cases the batter cannot make any movement that hinders the catcher's play.

Can a fielder stand in the base path?

- Fielders without the ball often stand on a base or in the base path. Doing so does not make them guilty of obstruction. They're not obstructing unless a runner's advance or path is altered.

What happens if you interferes in a baseball game?

In every case of spectator interference with a batted or thrown ball, the ball shall be declared dead and the baserunners can be placed where the umpire determines they would have been without the interference.

Can a fielder block a base?

AG: Players in the field can block any base as long as they are holding the ball or are in the process of fielding the ball. To do so without those conditions could result in the blocking player being called for obstruction and the base being awarded to the runner.

What happens if the batter hits the catcher with his backswing?

If a batter swings and misses a ball and in the process unintentionally hits this catcher on his backswing, it shall be called a strike, and not batter interference. Batter non-interference applies as long as the batter's feet remain in the batter's box. The ball is called dead by the umpire and the play is halted.

What is the penalty for backswing interference?

Backswing interference / follow-through interference

The ball is dead, and runners, if moving, must return. There is no penalty so long as deemed by umpire to be not intentional. Ball immediately dead; runners return; batter is out if impeding play on runner. If no play on runner, dead ball and runners return.

What happens if catcher hits batter throwing to third?

In that case play proceeds just as if no violation had been called. If the batter interferes with the catcher's throw after the batter is out on strike three, the umpire shall call “Time,” and the runner is declared out for the batter's interference. All other runners are returned to the base they previously occupied.

Why is defensive indifference used in baseball?

Conclusion – What is Defensive Indifference in Baseball

Finally, the defensive indifference is a way to limit artificial stats in baseball. The official scorer determines if the situation warrants a stolen base or not. For example, a defense might play back during an at bat to stop a batter from getting a base hit.

What does defensive indifference mean in baseball?

Defensive indifference is exactly what it connotes: a situation when a team was unconcerned about preventing the runner from advancing.

Can you block home plate if you have the ball?

Runners are not required to slide, and catchers in possession of the ball are allowed to block the plate. However, runners who do slide and catchers who provide the runner with a lane will never be found in violation of the rule.

Can a catcher block the plate if he has the ball?

The catcher is not permitted to block the runner's path to the plate unless he is in possession of the ball, though blocking the path of the runner in a legitimate attempt to receive a throw is not considered a violation. The runner can be ruled safe if the umpire determines the catcher violated this rule.

Can a batter run on a wild pitch?

If the bases are empty, or if the catcher retrieves the ball quickly and no runner is able to advance, a wild pitch is not charged. A run scored on a wild pitch is recorded as an earned run. A runner who advances on a wild pitch is not credited with a stolen base unless he breaks before the pitcher begins his delivery.

Can a base runner run out of the baseline?

And then this: The base runner is out if "running more than three feet away from the baseline to avoid being tagged." At the moment the base path is established (when the tag is attempted), the runner cannot veer more than three feet to the left or right of the base path for the purpose of avoiding a tag.