What is the obstruction rule?

What is the obstruction rule?

Official Baseball Rule 2.00 defines obstruction 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. After a fielder has made an attempt to field a ball and missed, he can no longer be in the “act of fielding” the ball.

What is fielder obstruction?

Definition. 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 baserunner’s progress.

Is obstruction a dead ball?

Type 1 obstruction is a dead-ball infraction. This means, the moment you see it, call it: “Time! The penalty for Type 1 obstruction is awarding the obstructed runner one base beyond the base last legally touched. In the case of runners who are advancing, this means you award the base to which they were advancing.

Can catchers block plates Little League?

When the catcher blocks the plate without the ball, it should be called interference. Obstruction only applies to a defensive player who is not in possession of the ball. The runner must always slide when the play is close. Reality: This is probably the single most misunderstood and misapplied rule in Little League.

Can a base runner run over a fielder?

Base runner impedes a defensive player fielding a batted ball. If a base runner impedes a fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball, or who is making a throw in continuation of fielding a batted ball, you have interference (5.09(b)(3)). Call the runner out.

Can a runner make contact with a fielder?

When a catcher and batter-runner going to first base have contact when the catcher is fielding the ball, there is generally no violation and nothing should be called. runner after having been deflected by a fielder, the umpire shall not declare the runner out for being touched by a batted ball.

Can batter run dropped third strike?

Generally speaking, a batter will not be allowed to run to first base on a dropped third strike if the baserunner on first base was stealing second base. Since the baserunner was occupying first base as the pitch was delivered, the dropped third strike would be recorded as a strikeout.

Can the catcher block home plate?

If a catcher blocks the plate without possession of the ball, the runner will be safe. However, a catcher may block the plate to field a throw if the umpire determines he could not have otherwise fielded it and thus contact with the runner could not have been avoided.

Is obstruction an error?

A fielder is also charged with an error if he is guilty of obstruction and the umpire awards any baserunner at least one base. Typically, shortstops and third basemen are the positions that commit the most errors because they have to make long and difficult off-balance throws on a regular basis.

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. If the crash occurs after the runner was called out, the runner closest to home plate will be declared out under Rule 8, Section 8 P.

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