Obstruction Vs Interference: What’s the Difference in Baseball?

In baseball, there are two types of interference: obstruction and interference. Obstruction is when a Defensive Player hinders a runner from getting to a base, while interference is when an offensive player hinders a fielder from making a play.

Introduction: What is obstruction and interference in baseball?

In baseball, obstruction is the illegal act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball, hinders the progress of any runner. The runner is awarded one base as a result of the obstruction. How does this differ from interference? Well, interference occurs when a fielder or catcher intentionally or unintentionally hinders or impedes the progress of the batter or a baserunner who is legally running the bases. The penalty for interference is more severe than for obstruction; the ball is dead, and all runners advance one base.

The difference between obstruction and interference

In baseball, obstruction is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball, impedes the progress of a baserunner. It is considered a type of foul and is penalized accordingly. On the other hand, interference is the act of a person who is not involved in the play (usually a spectator) who impedes the progress of a baserunner. It is also considered a type of foul, but is penalized differently.

Obstruction: When is it called?

In baseball, obstruction is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the process of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. It is important to note that a fielder can only be called for obstruction when he is not in possession of the ball or not currently fielding the ball. If a fielder has the ball and impedes a runner’s progress, it is considered interference instead.

There are two types of obstruction: type A and type B. Type A obstructions are when a fielder blocks a base that a runner is attempting to reach safely; meanwhile, type B obstructions are when a fielder impedes a runner who is not attempting to reach a base. In both cases, the umpire will award any affected runners with as many bases as they would have been able to reach had there been no obstruction.

Interference: When is it called?

In baseball, interference is the act of an offensive player or a fielder who illegally changes the course of play. It is a judgment call made by the umpires.

There are two types of interference: batting and fielding. Batting interference occurs when a batter obstructs a fielder trying to make a play on another batter. Fielding interference occurs when a fielder hinders a batter trying to swing at a pitch.

Interference can be called even if there is no contact between the offender and the victim. If contact does occur, it is usually ruled as interference if it changes the outcome of the play. For example, if a catcher is interference while attempting to field a pop-up, the batter would be awarded first base if he was not able to hit the ball because of the contact.

If you are ever called for interference, play will stop immediately and all runners will be awarded one base from their current position at the time of the infraction.

Obstruction vs. Interference: Which is worse?

In baseball, obstruction is the act of a fielder, who may or may not have the ball, illegally impeding a baserunner’s progress. Interference is any illegal action by a player, coach, or spectator that hinders another player’s legitimate attempt to play the game Obstruction and interference are considered judgment call penalties; the umpire decides whether or not the play warrants punishment.

Obstruction vs. Interference: The penalty

In baseball, there are two types of penalties that can be called on a player: obstruction and interference. Both of these penalties can be costly to a team, but it’s important to know the difference between the two.

Obstruction is when a Defensive Player blocks the path of a runner who is trying to advance to the next base. This can happen if a player tries to make a catch and gets in the way of the runner, or if a player is standing in the base path and prevents the runner from getting around him. If obstruction is called, the runner is awarded the next base.

Interference, on the other hand, is when an offensive player interferes with a defensive player’s ability to make a play. This can happen if an offensive player swings his bat and hits a fielder in the head, or if he runs out of the basepath and collides with a fielder who is trying to make a play. If interference is called, the batter is out and any runners on base have to return to their previous bases.

Obstruction vs. Interference: The call

In baseball, obstruction is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the process of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. Typical examples include a fielder intentionally standing in the base path to prevent a runner from reaching first base or a catcher standing in front of home plate to field a bunt. The act of obstruction automatically entitles all runners to advance one base, even if they could not have avoided the fielder had he not been there.

Interference, on the other hand, is the act of an offensive player who impedes the progress of a defensive player who is attempting to make a play on a batted ball For example, if a batter trying to leg out a hit swings his bat and hits a catcher in the face while he is trying to field the ball, that would be interference. The main difference between obstruction and interference is that obstruction can only be called on defenders while interference can be called on both defenders and offensive players

Obstruction vs. Interference: The review

In baseball, obstruction is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball, prevents a baserunner from advancing to the next base. This can occur while fielders are pivoting to make a play or while they are getting out of the way of another fielder who is making a play.

Interference, on the other hand, is Something that happens when a baserunner impedes the progress of a fielder who is trying to field the ball. For example, if a runner tries to break up a double play by sliding into second base and making contact with the second baseman before he has a chance to catch the ball, that would be interference.

Obstruction vs. Interference: The conclusion

In baseball, obstruction is the act of a fielder hindering a baserunner’s progress, while interference is the act of an offensive player hindering a defensive player’s ability to make a play. The key difference between the two is that obstruction is committed by a Defensive Player while interference is committed by an offensive player

Interference can be called on any live ball, while obstruction can only be called on a Dead Ball If interference occurs on a play that results in an out, the baserunner is simply awarded the next base. However, if obstruction occurs on a play that does not result in an out, the baserunner is awarded two bases.

If you’re still having trouble distinguishing between the two, think of it this way: obstruction is when a Defensive Player gets in the way of a baserunner, while interference is when an offensive players gets in the way of a Defensive Player

Obstruction vs. Interference: The takeaway

One of the most common questions we get here at UmpBump is, “What is the difference between obstruction and interference?” It’s a fair question, since both infractions can result in a Dead Ball and runners being awarded bases. The answer, unfortunately, is not nearly as cut-and-dried as we would like it to be. In fact, the distinction between the two is often a matter of interpretation by the umpire.

Here’s our best shot at explaining the difference between obstruction and interference:

Obstruction is when a Defensive Player impedes the progress of a runner who is trying to advance to the next base. This can be done with or without the ball, and it doesn’t matter whether the Defensive Player is actually trying to make a play on the runner. If his actions slow down or hinder the runner’s progress in any way, it’s obstruction.

Interference, on the other hand, occurs when an offensive player makes contact with a Defensive Player who is in position to make a play on a runner. This usually happens when the offensive player is attempting to reach base himself and he runs into (or interferes with) the fielder who is trying to make a play on another runner. It can also occur if an offensive player obstructs a fielder who is not in position to make a play (for example, by running into him while he’s chasing down a fly ball).