Interference Get it Right

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InterferenceGet it Right!
Interference
Presented by Chris Lee
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Cloverdale Clinic 08
Obstruction? Interference? Wreck?
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INTERFERENCE

• Definition Offensive player interferes with a
  defensive player making a play.
• Contact does not have to occur.
• Reason for the rule Protection of the defense

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INTERFERENCE
Guidelines

• Expect the unexpected!
• Be mentally prepared!
• Interference? Obstruction? Wreck?
• Make a decision!
• Make the Right Call!

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INTERFERENCE
TYPES of Interference

• Runner
• 3 Foot Running Lane
• Batter
• On-Deck Batter
• Coach
• Umpire
• Deliberate Crash
• Spectator

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INTERFERENCE

• Dead Ball
• Out
• Runners Return

All Occur
Exception Umpire Interference
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INTERFERENCE
Runner Interference

• 1. Runner collides with fielder.
• 2. Deflected ball strikes runner.
• 3. Ball passes infielder, strikes runner.
• 4. Fielder boots ball, collides with runner.
• 5. Batted ball hits runner on base.
• 6. Verbal Interference.
• 7. Runner already out.

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INTERFERENCE
3 Foot Running Lane

• Behind runner
• Prevent screening
• Straddling line
• No throw

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INTERFERENCE
Batter Interference

• Attempted steal
• Squeeze play
• Passed ball
• Whos out?

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INTERFERENCE
On-Deck Batter

• On-deck circle is not a sanctuary
• May guide runners
• Avoid defense
• Whos out?

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INTERFERENCE
Coach Interference must be intentional

• Coachs box is not a sanctuary
• Batted ball
• Thrown ball
• Draws a throw
• Foul fly ball
• Whos out?

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INTERFERENCE
Umpire

• Attempted Steal (FP)
• Base umpire hit by fair batted ball (SP)

• Other throws by catcher
• Umpire bumps catcher
• Throw hits umpire

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INTERFERENCE
Deliberate Crash

• Remains on his feet
• Collides with fielder
• Flagrant

Runner
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INTERFERENCE
Spectator Guidelines

• The playing field belongs to the fielder
• The stands belong to the spectator

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Whats the Call?
Play 1.A runner shouts Ive got it! and
confuses a fielder causing him to drop the ball.

• Ruling The runner is guilty of interference and
  is called out.

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Whats the Call?
Play 2.R2 advances to 3rd on a bunt. As B1 is
heading for 1st, he waves his arms and yells at
the 1st baseman. The catchers throw is in time.

• Ruling The BR is out once he began to yell and
  wave his arms. R2 is returned to 2nd base.

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Whats the Call?
Play 3.1 out. R1 and R2 advance on B1s hit. R2
scores R1 is tagged out at 3rd and sees that B1
is about to be thrown out at 2nd, and
accidentally bumps into F4 preventing the
throw. Whos out and does the run count?
Ruling Since R1 is already out, B1 is now called
out for R1s interference. Run counts because R2
scored before the interference.
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INTERFERENCE
Credits to

• The Umpires Why? Answer book by Carl Childress
• By the Rules Interference with a batted ball by
  Jay Miner. (Referee Magazine article, June 1991)
• Softball Canada Umpire Case Book
• ASA Illustrated Softball Rules
• Umpiring Be the best you can be. (ASA Video)