Click on the category that your play fits in to possibly find the answer to your play.
Table of Contents
I believe interference is the toughest call an umpire has to make. It is a call based solely on the umpire's judgment. To make a good judgment as to whether interference occurred, the umpire must know the definition as stated in the rules so it can be recognized when it occurs. After interference is called, the proper rule must be applied.
The definition as stated in Rule 2.00 is:
(a) Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. If the umpire declares the batter, batter-runner, or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return to the last base that was in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference, unless otherwise provided by these rules.
In the event the batter-runner has not reached first base, all runners shall return to the base last occupied at the time of the pitch.
(b) Defensive interference is an act by a fielder which hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch.
It should be noted that (b) above is the only defensive interference. Hindering the runner by the defense is OBSTRUCTION.
How do we interpret this rule? The key, is to focus on the phrase interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses. That phrase covers a lot of actions. The umpire, after witnessing an act by the offense must ask himself the following question; Did the offense interfere with, obstruct, impede, hinder or confuse the fielder attempting to make the play? If the answer is yes, interference should be called. The call must be made as soon as possible. When interference is called the ball is immediately dead and no runners may advance beyond the base they held at the time of the interference. The umpire must be aware of where all runners are at the time of the call. There are some cases where the play is allowed to continue after the interference call is made. In those cases, time is called at the end of the play and if interference is to be enforced, the ball is considered to have been dead at the time of the call. If the interference is to be ignored, by rule, then all play stands.
R3, one out. B1 hits pop-up towards third. R3 takes a few steps off third(who knows why) and my third base coach yells at R3 "no, no, no, get back. F5 looks at runner, looks back up at ball and then misses the catch in fair territory. The umpire calls interference on my third base coach for verbally hindering the ability of F5 to make the catch. The umpire cites rule 9.01(c) as his basis for a ruling that is not addressed anywhere in the rule book. Is this correct?
Answer: In my opinion rule 9.01(c) has nothing to do with this play. This is a case of judgment as to whether interference occurred.
Interference can indeed be called when a member of the offense verbally hinders a player attempting to make a play. This is usually called when an offensive player yells directly at a defensive player. By direct I mean something like "hey look out" or a loud scream just as the player is attempting a play or calling the defender by his name. Calling interference in the play you described is stretching things way too much. I personally would not call interference on your play. However, it is a judgment call and if your umpire called interference, then it was. Probably a bad judgment call but, it stands nevertheless.
With one out and runners at first and third, R1 tries to steal second. As the catcher starts to throw, B1 interferes. The throw is made in spite of the interference and retires R1, but R3 scores on the play. What's the call?
Answer: The interference is ignored and the play stands. This is a case where the interference is called immediately, but the play is allowed to continue. If R1 is put out, the interference is ignored and all play stands. If R1 had not been put out, the play is dead at the time of the interference, the batter is out and R1 and R3 return to their original bases.
Rule 6.06 - A batter is out for illegal action when -
(c) He interferes with the catcher's fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter's box or making any other movement that hinders the catcher's play at home base. EXCEPTION: Batter is not out if any runner attempting to advance is put out, or if runner trying to score is called out for batter's interference.
The batter bunts a ball in front of the plate. As he runs to first he is slightly in fair territory. The umpire calls him out for not running inside the running lane although the catcher made no throw. Is this correct?
Answer: No. This is a pure judgment call by the umpire, but he should understand how to interpret the rule to make a good judgment.
1. If the BR has not reached the running lane, it would be a rare case where you would call him out for interference. An action on his part that was clearly intended to interfere would need to occur.
2. Once the BR has reached the start of the running lane (remember it is only the last half of the distance to first) only then does a real possibility of interference arise.
If both feet are within the lane you shouldn't call him out, unless he grabs the fielder or shoulder blocks him or intentionally touches the thrown ball in flight.
3. If he is outside the running lane he could be called out but, it's not automatic. Read the words of rule 6.05(k) carefully:
In running the last half of the distance from home base to first base, WHILE THE BALL IS BEING FIELDED TO FIRST BASE, he runs outside (to the right of) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line, AND IN THE UMPIRE'S JUDGMENT in so doing interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base; except that he may run outside (to the right of) the three-foot line or inside (to the left of) the foul line to avoid a fielder attempting to field a batted ball.
4. The batter should not be called out simply because the catcher believes he can't make the throw. Pro catchers are taught to hit the runner in the back if he's outside the lane. He will always be called out when touched by the throw while outside the lane. If no throw is made you shouldn't call the BR out. Again, if a throw IS made the key word is "AND". It says he's out when outside the lane AND interferes. He could be outside the lane and beat the throw without interfering and he would be safe.
B1 hits a pop up down the first-base line. As F2 settles under the ball well into foul territory, B1 comes up behind F2 and screams loudly. F2 drops the ball. What's the call?
Answer: B1 is out for interference.
Rule 2, Interference (a) Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. If the umpire declares the batter, batter-runner, or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return to the last base that was in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference, unless otherwise provided by these rules.
In the event the batter-runner has not reached first base, all runners shall return to the base last occupied at the time of the pitch.
No outs, bases loaded.
B1 lifts a twisting infield-fly and the umpire declares "infield fly, the batter's out." While the runners hold their bases, an infielder makes a lunge for the swirling pop-up and somehow misses. The ball hits off the leg of R2, whose other foot is planted on second base, and bounds into the outfield. Before it is retrieved, all runners advance one base.
The manager rushes out to make the point that R2 was hit by a batted ball. What's the call?
Rule 7.08 Any runner is out when -(f) He is touched by a fair ball in fair territory before the ball has touched or passed an infielder. The ball is dead and no runner may score, nor runners advance, except runners forced to advance. EXCEPTION: If a runner is touching his base when touched by an Infield Fly, he is not out, although the batter is out; If two runners are touched by the same fair ball, only the first one is out because the ball is instantly dead. If runner is touched by an Infield Fly when he is not touching his base, both runner and batter are out.
R1 is hit by a fair batted ball while standing on first base. Is R1 out or safe?
Answer: Out. The same rule applies here as in the previous play. This time he is out because he is hit in fair territory. The base is in fair territory. Arguments occur over this play because ASA softball rules state that a runner is always safe when hit while on the base and many coaches have played softball.
Back to TOP
Back to Jim's Home
What if the batter hits a fly ball into center field, and the catcher grabs his leg while he's leaving the box? The batter falls down, and 2 seconds later the ball is caught by the center fielder. Is this a dead ball? Is it obstruction? Do you award the batter first base? Or is the batter out, because the ball was caught?
Answer: No, it is not obstruction. No, it is not a dead ball. No, the batter does not get first base. Yes, the batter is out.
There is a philosophy that you need to understand about the rules and their interpretation. The rules and the umpire's judgement are combined to insure that neither team can get an unfair advantage over the other. On this play, although the catcher committed an act that was unfair, it did not give him an advantage because the batter was put out. If the ball had been dropped, you would let the play continue and after it ended you would award the runner the base to which you think he would have advanced had he not been obstructed.
Rule 7.06(b) "If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no further action is possible. The umpire shall then call "Time" and impose such penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction."
Runner on second. Batter hits a pop-up to shortstop. R2 holds. Shortstop drops the ball and when he notices that the batter rounded first, throws to first and the ball goes into dead ball area out-of-play. Where do you place the runners?
Answer: The runner who was on second is awarded home and the batter is awarded second.
Take note of the areas in bold type below:
Rule 7.05 Each runner including the batter-runner may, without liability to be put out, advance -
(g) Two bases when, with no spectators on the playing field, a thrown ball goes into the stands, or into a bench (whether or not the ball rebounds into the field), or over or under or through a field fence, or on a slanting part of the screen above the backstop, or remains in the meshes of a wire screen protecting spectators. The ball is dead. When such wild throw is the first play by an infielder, the umpire, in awarding such bases, shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the ball was pitched; in all other cases the umpire shall be governed by the position of the runners at the time the wild throw was made;
APPROVED RULING: If ALL runners, including the batter-runner, have advanced at least one base when an infielder makes a wild throw on the first play after the pitch, the award shall be governed by the position of the runners when the wild throw was made.
**(Jim's note: notice the "ALL" above. On this play only the batter advanced one base. Therefore, the award is from time of pitch) **
In certain circumstances it is impossible to award a runner two bases. Example: Runner on first. Batter hits fly to short right. Runner holds up between first and second and batter comes around first and pulls up behind him. Ball falls safely. Outfielder, in throwing to first, throws ball into stand.
APPROVED RULING: Since no runner, when the ball is dead, may advance beyond the base to which he is entitled, the runner originally on first base goes to third base and the batter is held at second base.
The term "when the wild throw was made" means when the throw actually left the player's hand and not when the thrown ball hit the ground, passes a receiving fielder or goes out of play into the stands.
The position of the batter-runner at the time the first wild throw left the thrower's hand is the key in deciding the award of bases. If the batter-runner has not reached first base, the award is two bases at the time the pitch was made for all runners. The decision as to whether the batter-runner has reached first base before the throw is a judgment call.
If an unusual play arises where a first throw by an infielder goes into stands or dugout but the batter did not become a runner (such as catcher throwing ball into stands in attempt to get runner from third trying to score on passed ball or wild pitch) award of two bases shall be from the position of the runners at the time of the throw. (For the purpose of Rule 7.05 (g) a catcher is considered an infielder.)
PLAY. Runner on first base, batter hits a ball to the shortstop, who throws to second base too late to get runner at second, and second baseman throws toward first base after batter has crossed first base. Ruling;_Runner at second scores. (On this play, only if batter-runner is past first base when throw is made is he awarded third base.)
Bottom of the 4th, 1 out bases loaded, 3 and 2 the count. B1 hits a homerun over the fence. BR rounds the bases and goes to the dugout. The opposing coach steps from dugout and says to the umpire that BR missed 2nd base. The umpire agrees and calls him out. The umpire is unsure what the proper appeal procedure is and decides that 3 runs should count and BR is out. The umpire is confused because the ball was hit over the fence. Is this the proper way to appeal the play?
Answer: No. But, if the defense had made a proper appeal the BR is out and 3 runs count.
The following is the proper procedure for an appeal:
APPEAL is an act of a fielder in claiming violation of the rules by the offensive team.
Appeals must be made while the ball is in play. (Alive). When the ball is dead, it becomes in play when the pitcher has the ball and is on the rubber and the umpire says play. Because the ball is dead after a homerun hit over the fence the ball must be put back in play before an appeal can be made.
When the ball is alive, an appeal may be made by the defense in any of the following ways;
One out, bases loaded. B1 hits a shot to left field and all runners begin to advance. R3 crosses home and enters team dugout. Left fielder catches the ball in the air. R1 and R2 legally return to their bases, R3 returns to third without retouching home. Is R3 out for leaving the field while in jeopardy?
Answer: He is not out simply because he left the field. After he enters the dugout he may not return to touch a missed base or one he left too soon. The defense must make a proper appeal in order to get him out. If they do not appeal his run counts. If he had not entered the dugout, he could have gone back to third as long as the ball was still alive. He must retouch home before going back to third.
R1, 1 out. B1 hits HR out of the park. R1 misses 2nd and the batter misses first. After both runners cross the plate, the umpire puts a new ball in play. The pitcher legally attempts to appeal that the batter missed first. However, his throw goes into the dugout. Another ball is put in play, and the pitcher attempts an appeal at 2nd on R1. Should the appeal on R1 be allowed?
Answer: No. If a pitcher throws the ball out of play when making an appeal, such act shall be considered an attempted play. No further appeal will be allowed.
Answer: One. When the batter passed R1 he made the second out and removed any force play. The appeal on R2 made the third out.
Rule 7.12 - Unless two are out, the status of a following runner is not affected by a preceding runner's failure to touch or retouch a base. If, upon appeal, the preceding runner is the third out, no runners following him shall score. If such third out is the result of a force play, neither preceding nor following runners shall score.
Little League. Bottom of the sixth, R1 and R3, 1 out.
B1 bunts, all runners go on contact. The ball pops up to the pitcher who throws to F3 before R1 can return. R3 crossed the plate before the out at first base, but he did not tag up. The defensive team leaves the field. The umpire indicates that the run counts. Is this correct?
Answer: Yes. Because the defense had left the field they lost their right to appeal R3. If they had not left the field they could have appealed R3 and taken the "fourth out" and the run would not count. Rule 7.10 applies here and states:
Rule 7.10 - Any runner shall be called out on appeal
(a) After a fly ball is caught, he fails to retouch his original base before he or his original base is tagged;
"Retouch," in this rule, means to tag up and start from a contact with the base after the ball is touched. A runner is not permitted to take a flying start from a position in back of his base. Any appeal under this rule must be made before the next pitch, or any play or attempted play. If the violation occurs during a play which ends a half-inning, the appeal must be made before the defensive team leaves the field. (The defensive team has left the field when no players remain in fair territory.) An appeal is not to be interpreted as a play or an attempted play.
NOTE:(1) Appeal plays may require an umpire to recognize an apparent "fourth out." If the third out is made during a play in which an appeal play is sustained on another runner, the appeal play decision takes precedence in determining the out. If there is more than one appeal during a play that ends a half-inning, the defense may elect to take the out that gives it the advantage.
R1 and R3, 2 outs. The pitcher's next pitch is a wild pitch. While the ball is being chased down, R3 crosses the plate. R1 misses 2nd, and tries for 3rd. The catcher's throw to 3rd gets past F5 and R1 tries to score. F6 backing up 3rd attempts to throw R1 out at the plate, but R1 is safe.
Can the defense now appeal that R1 missed 2nd?
Answer: Yes. The attempted plays on R1 at 3rd and home were part of "continuous action", therefore they may still appeal R1 at 2nd.
Back to TOP
Back to Jim's Home
R1 and R2 advance to home on a hit to the outfield by B1. R2 didn't touch home plate. Is there an out without an appeal since R1 passed R2 (7.08(h)) due to the missed plate or should you wait for an appeal at home plate?
Answer: Rule 7.08(h) does not apply in this play. Passing a runner means to literally, physically pass the preceding runner while running the bases. Rule 7.12 is the rule that applies to this play:
Unless two are out, the status of a following runner is not affected by a preceding runner's failure to touch or retouch a base. If, upon appeal, the preceding runner is the third out, no runners following him shall score. If such third out is the result of a force play, neither preceding nor following runners shall score.
The defense may appeal that R2 missed home and if that is the third out, R1's run does not count. If it is not, then R1's run counts. If the defense does not appeal before the next pitch or play, then both runs count and the right to appeal is lost.
Judgment calls may not be protested. This means out/safe, fair/foul, ball/strike, obstruction/interference, hit batter, balk, etc. The game can only be protested when a rule has not been applied correctly.
Example: R1 and R3. R1 interferes with F4 attempting to field a grounder. The ump calls R1 out for interference, but allows R3 to score.
This is incorrect. If the ump JUDGES interference occurred, the RULE states that the ball is dead and no runs may score or runners advance.
The judgment of whether it was interference or not, is NOT protestable. The fact that the ump allowed the run to score IS protestable.
Back to TOP
Back to Jim's Home
Several people have asked questions that involve Little League Regulation VI and rule 4.12.
To simplify the matter; think of this: a pitcher must always have rest after pitching. The amount is stated in the regulation. When a game starts it doesn't matter whether it is a "new" game or a "resumed" game, the player designated as the pitcher is only eligible to pitch if he has met all criteria stated in Regulation VI. If the player is eligible to pitch, he may pitch in the resumed game and again in the new game if he still has eligibility. Rest is required between days pitched, not games pitched.
Several people wanted to know the proper ruling regarding a batter-runner who overruns first base after receiving a base-on-balls.
To simplify this; a batter-runner who is advancing to first base after ball four is treated no different than one who has hit a fair ball except that he cannot be put out BEFORE reaching first base. The ball is live and the runner may advance beyond first at his own risk.
Rules 6.08(a) and 7.08(j)
I have received several requests for answers to plays where the umpire made a mistake in mechanics or procedure, or got in the middle of a play and was hit by a throw or bumped into a runner or fielder.
A few things need to be made clear:
By rule, umpire's interference only applies when the umpire is hit by a fair batted ball BEFORE it has passed an infielder, or when he interferes with a catcher's throw in an attempt to retire a runner. Anything else that an umpire is involved in is a live ball and play continues. It is not umpire interference, it is umpire incompetence. He deserves to be yelled at, but the play stands.
If an umpire makes a mistake on a call and his action creates a dead ball situation. It is not advisable for him to reverse his call and try to assume what would have happened if he had not "killed" the play.
For example: if the batter hits a pitch and it hits the plate and then goes into fair territory. It is a fair ball by rule. However, if an incompetent umpire yells "foul ball" when it hits the plate, he should stay with that call. The same as if he made a bad judgment on a fair/foul ball that hit near the line. Once an umpire makes a call which creates a dead ball situation, he should not reverse the call, no matter how bad it was. He could reverse a call in which the original call was "fair", because you can put everyone back where they were before the call. But, when you kill a play, you can't guess as to what would have happened, had play continued.
Several people have related plays in which the batter or a runner was called out for "high fiving" or otherwise touching a teammate while rounding the bases after a homerun that was hit over the fence.
As long as all runners legally touch the bases while advancing to home, they can touch anybody they wish. The batter could be carried around the bases on the shoulders of his teammates as long as he comes down and touches each base as he reaches it and does not pass a preceding runner.
Rules 5.02 and 7.05(a) apply:
5.02 After the umpire calls "Play" the ball is alive and in play and remains alive and in play until for legal cause, or at the umpire's call of "Time" suspending play, the ball becomes dead. While the ball is dead no player may be put out, no bases may be run and no runs may be scored, except that runners may advance one or more bases as the result of acts which occurred while the ball was alive (such as, but not limited to a balk, an overthrow, interference, or a home run or other fair ball hit out of the playing field).
7.05 Each runner including the batter-runner may, without liability to be put out, advance
(a) To home base, scoring a run, if a fair ball goes out of the playing field in flight and he touched all bases legally; or if a fair ball which, in the umpire's judgment, would have gone out of the playing field in flight, is deflected by the act of a fielder in throwing his glove, cap, or any article of his apparel;
Touching all bases legally, means touching them in order and not missing any bases, and not passing a preceding runner or being passed by a following runner.
Rule 7.09(I) assistance by a coach only applies during a live ball play.