OBR: Interference or Obstruction

R2 on 2B, 2 outs. B1 hits a single to center, R2 while touching 3b is obstructed by the F5 causing R2 to miss the base. R2 does not break stride and continues to attempt to score, but is tagged out at the plate by a large margin. R1 stops at 1B. What is the ruling?

• Play stands. Obstruction ignored since R2 continued running. 3 outs, side retired.

• R2 returns to 3B because of obstruction. R1 on 1B. 2 outs.

• R2 is awarded home on obstruction. R1 stays on 1B. 2 outs.

• Umpires Judgement if the umpire deems R2 would have scored without obstruction.

R1 on 1B, R3 on 3B, no outs. B1 hits a ground ball to F3 who throws home R3's advance. R3 is safe at home, F2 throws to F4 covering 1B to retire B1. B1 is running outside the running lane and the thrown ball hits him and goes into right field. What is the ruling?

• Immediate dead ball for interference. B1 is out, all runners return to base occupied at the time of the pitch.

• Play continues since this is a second infield play.

• Immediate dead ball for interference. B1 is out, R3 scores. R1 returns to 1B.

• Immediate dead ball for interference. B1 is out, R3 scores. R1 returns to last legally obtained base at point of interference.

R1 on 1B, 0-1 count to B1, one out. R1 attempts to steal on the pitch. B1 swings and hit a ground ball to F4. F4 throws to 1B for the out. F3 then throws to F6 to get R1 out. R1 has already rounded 2B and dives back towards 2B. F6 blocks the base before his attempt to catch and control the ball so R1 cannot return safely. R1 is tagged out. What is the ruling?

• Obstruction. Delayed 'dead ball.' R1 initially called out, umpire calls time and calls R1 safe at 2B, 2 outs.

• Obstruction. Immediate ‘dead ball’. R1 called safe on obstruction and awarded 3rd base, two out.

• Play stands, Obstruction cannot be called with a runner returning to a base. Side retired.

• Obstruction. Immediate ‘dead ball’. R1 called safe.  Awarded 2nd base due to runner returning to the base, two outs.

R2 on 2nd base, R1 on 1st base, one out.  B1 hits a pitch that is short hopped by F6.  F6 throws to F4 coming over to cover 2nd base.  With both R1 and R2 standing on 2nd base, F4 tags R1 and then R2 and throws to 1st base.  B1 is safe at 1st base.  What is the ruling?

• R1 and R2 are both out, side retired.

• R2 out, R1 safe at second, B1 on 1st base, two outs.

• R2 safe at second, R1 out, B1 on 1st base, two outs.

• No outs, R2 still in jeopardy of being out. Play is still live.

R3 on 3rd base, R1 on 1st base, no outs.  On a ball one pitch to B1, R1 attempts to steal 2nd base.  F2 and PU make contact with each other on F2's throw to 2nd base.  The throw is cutoff by F6 and relayed back to F2 in time to retire R3 trying to score on the throw to second.  What is the ruling?

• No out recorded, umpire interference. R3 returned to 3rd base, R1 to 1st, no outs. B1 still at bat with a 1-0 count.

• Umpire interference. Play stands, out recorded. R1 on 2nd base, one out. 1-0 count to B1.

• R3 returned to 3rd base because of umpire interference, R1 stays at 2nd base, no outs. 1-0 count to B1.

• R3 out, R1 returned to 1st base because of umpire interference, one out. 1-0 count to B1.

R3 on 3rd Base, one out.  B1 hits a hard line drive towards F6.  The line drive hits the base umpire prior to reaching the infield dirt and is caught by F6.  R3 runs and scores after the ball hits the umpire.  What is the ruling?

• Batter is out. R3 returns to 3rd base. Two outs.

• Batter is awarded 1st base, R3 scores. One out.

• Immediate dead ball. B1 out on catch, R3 scores. Two outs.

• Immediate dead ball. B1 awarded 1st base, R3 returns to 3rd base. One out.

R2 on second, no outs.  B1 hits a clean single to left field.  R2 attempts to score on the hit. B2 attempts to get into position to communicate on whether R2 should slide or not and inadvertently makes contact with F2 who moves to catch the throw from F7.  R2 scores safely.  What is the ruling?

• Play stands.

• Immediate dead ball.  R2 is out, B1 returns to base last legally touch at the time of the interference. One out

• Delayed dead ball. B2 is out for interference. Runners returned to base last touch safely at the time of interference, unless following play results in an out on the runner. Two out, B3 now the batter.

• Immediate dead ball.  R2 and B2 are out. B1 stays at 1st base. Two outs

R3 on 3rd base, R1 on 1st base, no outs, no count on batter.  F3 is playing behind R1. B1 hits a pop up in front of 1st base near the foul line.  F1, F2, and F3 converge on the ball to make a play.  During F3 movement to make the play he makes contact with R1 as he returns to 1B.  The ball lands untouched in fair territory then rolls in foul territory where it is picks up by F1.  What is the ruling?

• Obstruction and foul ball. Dead Ball. R1 advances to 2nd base, R2 advances to 3B based on being forced.  B1 returns to bat with 0-1 count.

• Interference on R1.  R1 declared out, No runners advance. B1 returns to bat with 0-1 count. One out.

• Interference, R1 and B1 both declared out. R3 stays at 3rd base. Two out. B2 next legal batter.

• Foul Ball.  Since no fielder touch the ball before becoming foul, ball is dead and no runners advance. Batter returns to bat with an 0-1 count.

• Based on umpire's discretion on which fielder is entitled to interference, either: Interference on R1. R1 declared out, No runners advance. B1 returns to bat with 0-1 count. One out. -OR- Foul Ball. Since no fielder touch the ball before becoming foul, ball is dead and no runners advance. Batter returns to bat with an 0-1 count.