What is the obstruction rule in softball?

Asked by: Vicki Lougee

The Amateur Softball Association of American sets the universal rules for softball in the United States. 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.

What’s the difference between obstruction and interference in softball?

Obstruction is not the same as interference; obstruction is typically committed by a fielder against a base runner, while interference is typically committed by a base runner against a fielder, or the batter against the catcher.

What is the obstruction rule?

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.

What is catcher obstruction?

Catcher’s Interference: How the Umpire Should Make the Call. How To Legally Confuse the Defense. Not So Simple: Catcher’s Interference. Obstruction is When a Fielder Without the Ball Obstructs a Runner. Pitched Lodged in Umpire’s Equipment.

Can the first baseman obstruct the runner?

A player who dives unsuccessfully for a ground ball and remains on the ground, delaying the progress of a runner, could be guilty of obstruction, as could a first baseman who stands at the inside corner of first base despite it being clear that no play will be made at first, causing the batter to adjust his/her path to

Can a 2nd baseman block the base?

AG: Players in the field can block any base as long as they are holding the ball or are in the process of fielding the ball. To do so without those conditions could result in the blocking player being called for obstruction and the base being awarded to the runner.

What score is awarded if a fielder causes an obstruction?

When either batter is dismissed Obstructing the field, 37.5. 1 unless the obstruction prevents a catch from being made, any runs completed by the batter before the offence shall be scored, together with any runs awarded for penalties to either side.

What is obstruction in college softball?

The Amateur Softball Association of American sets the universal rules for softball in the United States. 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.

Can a runner be called out on obstruction?

NOTE 1: When the ball is not dead on obstruction and an obstructed runner advances beyond the base which, in the umpire’s judgment, the runner would have been awarded because of being obstructed, the runner does so at his/ her own risk and may be tagged out.

What’s the difference between obstruction and interference?

One key distinction between interference and obstruction: Interference is defined as a violation of either the offense or the defense; obstruction can only be committed by the defense.

Does fielder or runner have right of way?

The protection continues until the fielder makes a play or makes a throw after fielding the ball. From beginning to end of this sequence, the fielder has the right of way and runners must avoid impeding the fielder. Here’s the rub. The rules protect only one fielder.

Can a runner interfere with a fielder?

Nor must physical contact occur for interference to be called; a runner may interfere with a fielder simply by hindering the fielder’s ability to attempt to make a play on a batted ball.

Can a fielder stand in the baseline?

How do I spot obstruction? – Fielders without the ball often stand on a base or in the base path. Doing so does not make them guilty of obstruction. They’re not obstructing unless a runner’s advance or path is altered.

Can a fielder field a ball in the baseline?

However, a runner is not obligated to vacate a base he is legally permitted to occupy to allow a defender the space to field a batted or thrown ball in the proximity of said base.