What is the difference between interference and obstruction in softball?

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.

What is obstruction 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 fielder interfere with a runner?

Defensive interference is an act by a fielder that hinders or prevents a batter from hitting a pitch. The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided he advances to and touches first base) when the catcher or any fielder interferes with him.

What happens when a ball hits a baserunner?

If a baserunner is hit by a fair batted ball while standing on a base, the runner is out, unless the ball has already passed an infielder or the infield fly rule has been declared.

Can you block the base in softball?

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved a rule banning defenders in softball from blocking the plate or base before they have possession of the ball, effective for the 2018 season. Currently, the defender could block the plate or base while in the act of catching the ball.

What happens if a base coach touches a runner?

If the base coach base, by touching or holding the runner, physically assists the runner in returning to, or leaving the base, the runner is out and the ball is dead.

Can you block the plate in softball?

Can a catcher block the plate without the ball?

If a catcher blocks the plate without possession of the ball, the runner will be safe. However, a catcher may block the plate to field a throw if the umpire determines he could not have otherwise fielded it and thus contact with the runner could not have been avoided.

Who has right of way runner or fielder?

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 hit the catcher?

A runner may not run out of a direct line to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher, or any player, covering the plate. Runners are not required to slide, and catchers in possession of the ball are allowed to block the plate.

When does runner interference occur in a softball game?

Runner’s interference occurs anytime the runner’s actions interfere with the defense’s ability to make a play on the ball. If, in the umpire’s judgment, the runner unintentionally interferes with a fielder attempting to field a ball in fair or foul territory, or with the fielder’s throw, then the runner is out.

How is offensive interference defined in Major League Baseball?

Offensive interference is defined in the Major League rule book (OBR) in the section Definitions (interference): “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.

What are the rules for batter and runner interference?

In the ASA rule book (specifically, Rules Supplement #33), there are batter interference, runner interference, interference by other offensive players or coaches, spectator interference, and umpire interference. Here, we are going to focus on batter and runner interference rules.

Who is protected from interference on a batted ball?

A fielder who is making a play on a batted ball is “protected” from interference by a base runner. In other words, the fielder gets the right-of-way in cases where a base runner converges on a fielder who is making a play on a batted ball.