Obstruction (baseball)
Encyclopedia
In baseball
, when a fielder
illegally hinders a baserunner, the fielder is guilty of obstruction.
Baserunners are generally permitted the free privilege to run from base to base without being physically blocked or hindered by a fielder. The only time a fielder need not "get out of the way" of a baserunner is when the fielder is fielding or in possession of the ball.
7.06, in which each type of obstruction is described.
Type A obstruction occurs when the obstructed runner is being played upon by the fielders. The ball is immediately dead, and all runners are awarded the base that the umpire judges the runners would have reached without the obstruction; however, the obstructed runner must be awarded at least one base. Umpiring
practice grants a broad interpretation of whether a runner is being played upon; if the defense's actions as a whole are focused on a runner, he qualifies as being played upon for the purposes of determining the penalty for obstruction.
Type B obstruction occurs when the obstructed runner is not being played upon. The ball does not become dead; rather, the umpire calls "That's obstruction!", but play is allowed to continue. While play continues, the umpire privately decides what base the obstructed runner would have reached without the obstruction. The obstructed runner is now "protected" until he reaches that base. When playing action stops, the ball will become dead and the runner will be awarded that base if he has not reached it. If he was put out before he reaches that base, that out will be nullified and he will be awarded that base. If the runner reaches that base safely, the obstruction is ignored. If the runner continues past that base, he does so at his own risk, without protection. There is no minimum base award for type B obstruction.
Under high school (NFHS) rules, all obstruction is considered type B; the ball does not become dead until after playing action ceases.
Obstruction is not to be confused with interference
. When a fielder hinders a baserunner, many baseball commentators will mistakenly refer to obstruction as interference.
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, when a fielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
illegally hinders a baserunner, the fielder is guilty of obstruction.
Baserunners are generally permitted the free privilege to run from base to base without being physically blocked or hindered by a fielder. The only time a fielder need not "get out of the way" of a baserunner is when the fielder is fielding or in possession of the ball.
Penalty
Any case of obstruction falls into one of two categories generally called type "A" and type "B", after the subsection of Official Baseball RuleBaseball rules
The rules of baseball differ slightly from league to league, but in general share the same basic gameplay.-Codes:There are several major rules codes, which differ only slightly....
7.06, in which each type of obstruction is described.
Type A obstruction occurs when the obstructed runner is being played upon by the fielders. The ball is immediately dead, and all runners are awarded the base that the umpire judges the runners would have reached without the obstruction; however, the obstructed runner must be awarded at least one base. Umpiring
Umpire (baseball)
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. The term is often shortened to the colloquial form ump...
practice grants a broad interpretation of whether a runner is being played upon; if the defense's actions as a whole are focused on a runner, he qualifies as being played upon for the purposes of determining the penalty for obstruction.
Type B obstruction occurs when the obstructed runner is not being played upon. The ball does not become dead; rather, the umpire calls "That's obstruction!", but play is allowed to continue. While play continues, the umpire privately decides what base the obstructed runner would have reached without the obstruction. The obstructed runner is now "protected" until he reaches that base. When playing action stops, the ball will become dead and the runner will be awarded that base if he has not reached it. If he was put out before he reaches that base, that out will be nullified and he will be awarded that base. If the runner reaches that base safely, the obstruction is ignored. If the runner continues past that base, he does so at his own risk, without protection. There is no minimum base award for type B obstruction.
Under high school (NFHS) rules, all obstruction is considered type B; the ball does not become dead until after playing action ceases.
Common misconceptions
There need not be physical contact for obstruction to be called; rather, if a fielder causes the runner to alter his normal running path, he can be guilty of obstruction.Obstruction is not to be confused with interference
Interference (baseball)
In baseball, interference is an infraction where a person illegally changes the course of play from what is expected. Interference might be committed by players on the offense, players not currently in the game, catchers, umpires, or spectators; each type of interference is covered differently by...
. When a fielder hinders a baserunner, many baseball commentators will mistakenly refer to obstruction as interference.
See also
- Blocking the plateBlocking the plateIn baseball, blocking the plate is a common technique performed by a catcher to prevent a runner from scoring. The act of blocking the plate accounts for most of the physical contact in baseball....
- InterferenceInterference (baseball)In baseball, interference is an infraction where a person illegally changes the course of play from what is expected. Interference might be committed by players on the offense, players not currently in the game, catchers, umpires, or spectators; each type of interference is covered differently by...