Obstruction baseball rule book

Apr 27, 2008 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 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 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. Observe the obstruction and allow the play to continue. The terms interference and obstruction are often misunderstood and confused by managers, coaches, and umpires alike. I use it to umpire little league, and it covers everything you need to know in good detail. According to the official rule book, obstruction is defined as 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. In baseball, interference occurs in situations in which a person illegally changes the course of play from what is expected. 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 baserunners progress. We want to bring you the most uptodate, informative and exciting baseball information. The act of a fielder who, while not in possession of or in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. In this clip, you decide if the umpire should call obstruction, interference, or.

Major league baseball added language after a 2003 obstruction call involving miguel cabrera and the nfl eventually went back and revised the tuck rule. Religious headgear that is consistent with baseball canada safety and. This is referred to as protecting the runner to a base. The padres and dbacks had one of the most interesting plays of the 2015 when they hosted the padres may 10. The obstruction rule bans unsanctioned collisions on the basepaths by preventing defensive players from blocking the passage of the baserunners. Baseball rules are numerous and two of the most difficult are the rules governing interference and obstruction. The umpire shall then call time and impose such penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction. 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. As well, there are different rules for obstruction, and they are applied differently at different levels. Obstruction is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the. The baseball rule book does not get additions very often. Oct 31, 2018 the amateur softball association of american sets the universal rules for softball in the united states. Defining interference and obstruction little league. Decide at that time what base you believe the runner is likely to reach, had it not been for the obstruction.

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. How a player deals with an obstruction depends on whether the obstruction is movable or immovable. Case book material in this edition are in shaded boxes and are labeled as comment. In baseball, obstruction is when a fielder illegally hinders a baserunner running within the basepath. 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 distance from home base to the nearest fence, stand or other obstruction on fair territory shall be 250 feet or more. Case book material is printed in smaller type than the rule language and is labeled as. Baserunners are generally permitted to run from base to base without being physically blocked or hindered by a fielder. By definition, obstruction occurs when 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. Site glossary definitions from the little league rule book and terms used on this site.

National baseball national coach of the year 201718. Visit our frequently asked questions section to find solutions for your issues. Obstruction is an act by which the defensive team impedes the batting team from advancing around the bases section 2. In the event of any discrepancy in records maintained by a league statistician and the rulings by an official scorer, the report. College softball panel approves obstruction rule change. In the condensed players edition of the rule book, movable obstruction is defined as an obstruction that can be moved with reasonable effort and without damaging the obstruction or the course. At no time is the branding sticker allowed on top of the base. Major league baseball added language after a 2003 obstruction call involving miguel cabrera and the nfl eventually went back and revised the tuck rule more than a decade after it was most.

Jan 16, 2019 how a player deals with an obstruction depends on whether the obstruction is movable or immovable. Mar 26, 2014 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. On top of that, casual fans cannot recite very many rule numbers. 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. Obstruction is an act by which the defensive team impedes the batting team from advancing around the bases. 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. Official rules of baseball canadian content cc1 official rules of baseball canadian content baseball canada shall follow the official rules of baseball except as modified within the canadian content section. Thirdbase umpire jim joyce called obstruction and the rest is history. As br rounds 1b he bumps f3 who has no reason to be in that position. Some folks call it the buster posey rule since his injury was the catalyst leading to the rule. Obstruction of the batter is ignored if the batterrunner reaches first and all other runners advance at least one base. Interference might be committed by players on the offense, players not currently in the game, catchers, umpires, or spectators. No rule only a sticker with ncaa, team or conference logo, name or abbreviation sticker or label may be used, only in the middle third of the rise of the base. Dec 27, 2018 baseball rules are numerous and two of the most difficult are the rules governing interference and obstruction.

B1 singles to f7 who gloves the ball and is returning it to the infield. The 2014 revision to the official baseball rules, in renumbering the rules, has disposed of the timehonored type a and type b obstruction. Softball panel recommends obstruction rule change the new softball proposal would ban defenders from blocking the plate or base before they have possession of the ball, effective for the 2018. Heres the rulebook definition, found in definitions obstruction. About the author david nemec is the author of over twentyfive baseball books and novels. According to their official rule book, obstruction is when a defensive player affects or prevents a batter from swinging at a pitched ball or hinders the progress of a runner.

Note the emphasis on the words while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball. 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. That is, in little league a fake tag can be considered obstruction, but it is never considered such beyond high. 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.

Important notes 1 the playing rules committee, at its december 2014 meeting, voted to. Rule change pitching rule 611 penalty exception 1 an illegal pitch remains a delayeddead ball. Case book material in this edition are in shaded boxes and are labeled. 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. The official rules of baseball illustrated is required reading for anyone who wants to know the game welland for the millions of fans who want to know it better. Aug 18, 2017 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. Where there is a change to the official rules of baseball, the change will not take effect until it is approved by the board of directors. The amateur softball association of american sets the universal rules for softball in the united states.

Everyone who coaches or umpires should have this book and read it every year that theyre involved with baseball. Softball panel approves changes to ncaa obstruction rule. Obstruction in high school baseball nfhs baseball umpires. Bu determines that no extra base would be possible on the base hit, even without th. The official scorer shall forward the official score report to the league statistician instead of to the league office, if requested to do so by the league. There is one circumstance where these two rarities become a reality. Obstruction and interference are rule violations that occur in the field of play, typically involving base runners.

A major rule change, effective with the 20182019 rule book, was made with regard to the batters legal position in the batters box when she makes contact with the pitch. Softball panel approves changes to ncaa obstruction rule aug 18, 2017 brittany connors connors last season, college softball saw a plethora of controversial obstruction calls that changed the outcome of several critical games in the postseason. Expanded designated hitter role coming to high school baseball. For fielders obstructing baserunners, see obstruction baseball. A distance of 320 feet or more along the foul lines, and 400 feet or more to center field is prefer able. Baseball rules book in considering the application of a particular rule.

Obstruction and interference little league umpiring. 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. When all play stops, enforcement depends on the final play outcome. The infield shall be graded so that the base lines and home plate are level. A distance of 320 feet or more along the foul lines, and 400 feet or more to center. Baseball is an intricate game with plenty of unique characteristics, and major league baseball has many rules, regulations and standards governing its onfield practices. An obstruction may also be called against a catcher if he obstructs the batter who attempts to hit or swing a pitched ball. If there is an illegal pitch and the batter reaches first base safely and each other runner advances at least one base, the illegal pitch is nullified. Official rules of baseball canadian content cc4 rule 6.