Some calls are made with a handarm gesture, some without. An umpire can call a batter, batterrunner or runner out for offensive interference. When obstruction occurs, the umpire shall call or signal obstruction. If he is obstructed while being played upon in a rundown, he is awarded at least one base beyond the last base he held. The rulebook definition of interference has four sections.
Dec 27, 2018 baseball rules are numerous and two of the most difficult are the rules governing interference and obstruction. Any ball that bounced off the ground and over the fence was ruled a home run. Allen craig is ruled safe at home plate on an obstruction call to give the cardinals a 54 walkoff victory in game 3 of the world series check out. 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. If obstruction occurs, the play is immediately called dead and all runners advance one base, or to the bases they would have reached, in the umpires judgment, if there had been no obstruction. 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. If the result of the play is such that, in your judgment, the obstruction caused the runner to be put out or to not reach the base that he would have reached had the obstruction not occurred, then you call time announce the infraction, then place the runner where, in. It may be that the mother in the stands had been watching baseball under mlb rules, which state. Defining interference and obstruction little league.
What happens to a runner when one is hit by a batted ball. One of the most difficult situations between the lines is when an umpire must decide whether or not to reverse a call that has been made. What does the rule book say about the upper part o. Facilities because facilities used for high school athletics come in many shapes, sizes.
Sports and fitness analysis united states baseball players printer friendly 34,7,252 articles and books. We want to bring you the most uptodate, informative and exciting baseball information. All runners shall be awarded bases they would have reached had there been no obstruction. Why did they remove some much of the rule that was important stuff to know. The 20 rule is basically a gutted form of the prior rule.
When a situation that is not included in the book arises during a contest, mlb rule 9. Judgment calls made by umpires cannot be protested i. Nfhs 2014 baseball exam part ii with answers the exam to follow will have 100 questions. For example, a catcher can be called for obstruction if the catchers glove makes contact with the hitters bat or when a defensive player doesnt have possession of the ball and blocks a base or. Stump the ump is the source for answers about baseball rules, game situations, or umpiring. They will be incorporated into the rules book for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Was obstruction the right call to make on wild last play.
Oct 27, 20 was obstruction the right call to make on wild last play of game 3. Answers to frequently asked questions baseball rules. Whenever an umpire reverses the call of another, most often trouble is sure to follow. However, where runners go on a delayed dead ball, interference situation can be protesteddiscussed refer to the proper league rule book ll baseball or ll softball. Defining interference and obstruction little league baseball. When the obstruction occurs, the umpire shall call or signal obstruction. In support of the worldwide effort to keep our communities safe, our online store will remain open, but orders will not be shipped until further notice. The casebook of little league baseball and softball, examples of interference and obstruction illustrate and.
Was obstruction the right call to make on wild last play of. Rule 331g6 penalty a warning shall be issued to the team. This will prepare you to see and call the obstruction if it occurs. This umpire manual is the definitive resource for professional and amateur umpires alike. When it occurs, play stops umpire calls time depending on the type of obstruction below generally, the runner is awarded bases other runners typically advance to the base they were approaching at the time of the obstruction. 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. Nfhs rules official baseball rules rule reference reference rule defense in fair territory at time of pitch with minimum one foot in. Visit our frequently asked questions section to find solutions for your issues. In my opinion, the prior rule was well written and explained a lot. Take a few extra moments to make your call and make them clearly, loudly and consistently take a few extra seconds between the time you see a completed pitch or play and the moment you make your call. It is the official umpire manual and rulebook for minor league baseball umpire development formerly pbuc. The umpire should call time when the obstruction occurs and award the runner third base.
In baseball, the umpire is the person charged with officiating the game, including beginning and ending the game, enforcing the rules of the game and the grounds, making judgment calls on plays, and handling the disciplinary actions. Heres the rulebook definition, found in definitions obstruction. Was obstruction the right call to make on wild last play of game 3. If the runners goes beyond his base path, obstruction should not be called. Make your calls in a demonstrative and consistent way to make sure players and managers know what your call is. Answers to frequently asked questions baseball rules updated. As well, there are different rules for obstruction, and they are applied differently at different levels. Obstruction baseball jump to navigation jump to search.
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 baseball rule book may be as complicated as any in. The umpire shall then call time and impose such penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction. 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. Apr 27, 2008 obstruction in high school baseball nfhs 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. As with several other calls in baseball, the ruling is a judgment call made by the umpire, and opinions can vary on whether or not obstruction should or shouldnt be called in different situations.
Part dto include additional situations when spectator interference may be. Nfhs rules official baseball rules rule reference reference rule defense in fair territory at time of pitch with minimum one foot in fair territory except catcher. When it occurs, play always stops umpire calls time at the time of the interference the runner is called out. Important notes 1 the playing rules committee, at its december 2014 meeting, voted to.
Requests for baseball rule interpretations or explanations should be directed to the state association responsible for the high school baseball program in your state. High school rules nfhs baseball rules book treat obstruction differently from. Cardinals walk off on obstruction call in game 3 of the world. Minor league baseball umpire manual rulebook rulebooks. Sometimes players caught in a rundown will hunt a fielder without the ball to draw an obstruction call. What mlb rulebook says about bizarre interference call against nationals trea turner turner was ruled out on a controversial decision in the seventh inning of game 6. Obstruction asa ruling does the runner automatically.
In such instances, the umpire is instructed to use common sense and fair play. They are also sometimes addressed as blue at lower. All questions must be answered prior to completing the exam. Ground rule doubles were actually home runs as recently as 1930. Its referred to as catchers interference in most baseball organizations because thats what the professional baseball rule book calls it.
Obstruction and interference little league umpiring. The terms interference and obstruction are often misunderstood and confused by managers, coaches, and umpires alike. And most baseball organizations derive their rules directly from the pro book. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump. If an assistant coach leaves the coaching box to argue a judgment call by the base umpire. If the result of the play is such that, in your judgment, the obstruction caused the runner to be put out or to not reach the base that he would have reached had the obstruction not occurred, then you call time announce the infraction, then place the runner where, in your judgement, he belongs. A defensive player commits interference if he hinders the hitter from swinging at a pitch almost always because the swing clips the. Only if the fielder is in possession of the ball and is attempting to tag the runner, or is in the process of attempting a play on a batted ball is he allowed to get in the way of the runner. Case book material in this edition are in shaded boxes and are labeled as comment. Any reference in these official baseball rules to he, him, or his shall be deemed to be a reference to she, her, or hers, as the case may be, when the person is a female. Home plate umpiring essentials little league umpiring. In this clip, you decide if the umpire should call obstruction, interference, or. If you were the umpire, would you have gotten this call right. Obstruction asa ruling does the runner automatically get.
Obstruction in high school baseball nfhs baseball umpires. When obstruction by a fielder is committed against a runner on which a play is being made, the umpire shall call thats obstruction while pointing at the obstruction and then signal and call time. Baseball rule myths for little league sometimes are more difficult to. I just happen to notice that the obstruction rule, 832, in the 20 nfhs rules book has been severly changed from the same rule in 2012. Obstruction is when a fielder impedes the progress of a baserunner in any way. This 159page milb manual contains the official rule interpretations and clarifications used throughout minor league baseball. By richard siegel from notes taken from a clinic by carl childress edited by steve orinick.
As with several other calls in baseball, the ruling is a judgment call made by the umpire, and opinions can vary on whether or not obstruction should or shouldnt be called in different situations source. Important notes 1 the playing rules committee, at its december 2014 meeting, voted to reorganize and recodify the official baseball rules into a more logical and organized manner. You have baseball questions, we have baseball answers. The nfhs will assist in answering rules questions from state associations whenever called upon.
Oct 31, 2018 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. League rules clarifications can be made with the board member on duty, ie. This rule gives an umpire the authority to make a judgment call on any point not specifically mentioned in the rule book. When a play is being made on an obstructed runner, the umpire shall signal obstruction in the same manner that he calls time, with both hands overhead. Any case of obstruction falls into one of two categories generally called type a and type b, after the subsection of rule.
For example, a catcher can be called for obstruction if the catchers glove makes contact with the hitters bat or when a defensive player doesnt have possession of the ball and blocks a base or base path. Official baseball rules obr the official rules of baseball. Each time the pitcher delays the game by violating this rule, the umpire shall call. Setting aside the impact this rule had on the record books, just think of the home plate celebrations baseball s earliest fans were deprived of. Each year, little league provides its constituent leagues with current little league rules, regulations, and policies that outline and define the operation of the program. Apr 18, 2017 the major league baseball rule book covers almost every imaginable situation that can occur in a game, including situations in which a batter or runner comes in contact with a batted ball. Baseball rules are numerous and two of the most difficult are the rules governing interference and obstruction. Interference is a broad rule book term that refers to a number of illegal actions. In baseball, obstruction is when a fielder illegally hinders a baserunner running within the.
Oct 28, 20 the rule book definition of interference has four sections. It is important for all little league volunteers and parents to be familiar with the most uptodate version of little leagues official regulations, playing rules, and. Obstruction in high school baseball nfhs 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. It does not matter which way the runner is heading.
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