Baseball rule book obstruction

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. 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. Minor league baseball umpire manual rulebook rulebooks. In baseball, obstruction is when a fielder illegally hinders a baserunner running within the basepath. An obstruction may also be called against a catcher if he obstructs the batter who attempts to hit or swing a pitched ball. 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. Some folks call it the buster posey rule since his injury was the catalyst leading to the rule.

Thirdbase umpire jim joyce called obstruction and the rest is history. Obstruction describes an act by a fielder, who is not in possession of the ball or in the process of fielding it, that. A player is to follow the bat rule based on the division that they are playing in during the game. Baseball isnt typically considered a contact sport, thanks in large part to one rule. Even if he sawcalls obstruction, you can be called out if youre standing off a base. Dec 27, 2018 baseball rules are numerous and two of the most difficult are the rules governing interference and obstruction. Get free access to baseball forums, rules analysis and exclusive email content from current and former major league baseball players and umpires. The obstruction rule bans unsanctioned collisions on the basepaths by preventing defensive players from blocking the passage of the baserunners. National baseball national coach of the year 201718. If the pitched ball deflects off the catcher or umpire and subsequently touches the batterrunner, it is not considered interference. We want to bring you the most uptodate, informative and exciting baseball information. On top of that, casual fans cannot recite very many rule numbers.

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. His baseball knowledge includes 15 years of coaching youth players, and he has been umpiring since 1997. In baseball, obstruction is when a fielder illegally hinders a baserunner running within the. The nfhs will assist in answering rules questions from state associations whenever called upon. As well, there are different rules for obstruction, and they are applied differently at different levels. The rulebook guru is a former baseball coach turned umpire. If a runner is obstructed at first base and the umpire believes he could have made it to third base, he will be. Baserunners are generally permitted to run from base to base without being physically blocked or hindered by a fielder. The rule is in place to prevent a pitcher from deceiving the baserunners. When all play stops, enforcement depends on the final play outcome. 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. Heres the rulebook definition, found in definitions obstruction. Defining interference and obstruction little league baseball. Another important point is that there does not need to be physical contact to have 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 studentathletes of high school age. Also, if you feel you have been obstructed, dont stop between the bases and yell at the umpire. 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. Visit our frequently asked questions section to find solutions for your issues.

Back in the late 19th century, when baseball was still a relatively young game, collisions on the basepaths were becoming a problem, so major league baseball established the modern obstruction rule to give baserunners the right of way, preventing fielders from blocking their path source. Obstruction baseball for interference including by a catcher, see interference baseball. In the event of any discrepancy in records maintained by a league statistician and the rulings by an official scorer, the report. Lets look at the following play to determine how to rule on obstruction in all three of the above definitions and rule codes. Baseball rules are numerous and two of the most difficult are the rules governing interference and obstruction. A balk is an illegal act by the pitcher when one or more runners are on base. The amateur softball association of american sets the universal rules for softball in the united states. Important notes 1 the playing rules committee, at its december 2014 meeting, voted to. 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. 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. Features the conduct and responsibilities of umpires game preliminaries equipment players and the playing field lineups and substitutions progress of the game appeals and awards interference and obstruction pitching regulations.

I use it to umpire little league, and it covers everything you need to know in good detail. Obstruction and interference little league umpiring. 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. Expanded designated hitter role coming to high school baseball. I have updated to current numbers and sections in contrasting color. The popularity of the game will grow only so long as its players, managers, coaches, umpires and administrative officers respect the discipline of its code of rules. Requests for baseball rule interpretations or explanations should be directed to the state association responsible for the high school baseball program in your state. Facilities because facilities used for high school athletics come in many shapes, sizes.

Religious headgear that is consistent with baseball canada safety and. Decide at that time what base you believe the runner is likely to reach, had it not been for the obstruction. Even rule books for softball adhere rather closely, with the exception, of course, of pitching and baserunning rules. The act of blocking the plate accounted for most of the physical contact in major league baseball prior to the 2014 season, when it was outlawed except when the catcher already has possession of the ball. Case book material in this edition are in shaded boxes and are labeled as comment. This is referred to as protecting the runner to a base. 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. All official baseball rule numbers in the milb umpire manual refer to the 2019 official baseball rules. Obstruction in high school baseball nfhs baseball umpires. Baseball not only has maintained its position as the national game of the united states, but also has become an international game being played in more than 100 countries. In professional baseball official baseball rules or obr, obstruction is the act of any fielder who, not in possession of the ball nor in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner.

With the unique perspective of an umpire who knows what coaches go though, he has set up a website to help educate coaches on some of the finer points of the rules, and how to maximize them for their advantage. In baseball, blocking the plate is a technique performed by a catcher to prevent a runner from scoring. Become a part of the largest baseball rules community in the world. Obstruction is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball. When the obstruction occurs, the umpire shall call or signal obstruction. Of the many presentday variations on the official baseball rules obr, most adhere rather closely to obr, typically with minor modification to implement safety rules, or otherwise adapt the rules to their level of play. Obstruction and interference are rule violations that occur in the field of play, typically involving base runners. The 2014 revision to the official baseball rules, in renumbering the rules, has disposed of the timehonored type a and type b obstruction. Jun 18, 20 and that terribleosity is exemplified by the actual existence, in that very book, of rule 8. The terms interference and obstruction are often misunderstood and confused by managers, coaches, and umpires alike. That is, in little league a fake tag can be considered obstruction, but it is never considered such beyond high.

Jun 20, 2019 obstruction of the batter is ignored if the batterrunner reaches first and all other runners advance at least one base. There is one circumstance where these two rarities become a reality. 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 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. Everyone who coaches or umpires should have this book and read it every year that theyre involved with baseball.

Obstruction is an act by which the defensive team impedes the batting team from advancing around the bases. Do not try to take an extra base if you dont think you can make it. 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. 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. Beginning with the major rules differences in the nfhs rulebook which was originally one short page, i initially expanded this umpiring aid some time ago by adding rule excerpts to the simple list to assist high. Official rules of baseball canadian content cc4 rule 6. For 2015 the obr book was completely revised and reorganized.