Fwd: Reds / Braves Umpire's interference
William Winczner
From: AHBABaseball <ahbaba...@comcast.net>
Date: Tue, Aug 27, 2013 at 9:54 AM
Subject: Reds / Braves Umpire's interference
To: sc7...@gmail.com, Keven Vinezeano <BlueJaysHa...@wowway.com>, Charlie Kerr <ker...@aol.com>, William Winczer <william....@gmail.com>, mike...@gmail.com, Rich Gentile <RGent...@aol.com>, Jeff Murrill <j.mu...@comcast.net>, Bill Veit <redshard...@hotmail.com>, nva...@hotmail.com
Cc: David Hilligoss <dhill...@aol.com>
I have read your protest, and I agree, this was very wrong and I apologizes for all the directors/ owner of the AHBA.
Bill Yeager and the first base umpire switch positions at first base and the umpire took Bill's glove then made 2-3 three plays at first base, the Reds ( Jeff seconded batter ) told the first base umpire he can not do that. Then at no point did the two acting manger stop the game an consult the home plate umpire to make a ruling on the interference, Red & Braves proceeded to play out the inning and end the game at time limit. See Rule bellow VII. ADDITIONAL RULES: Bill , Rich & Dave where not at the game acting manager where in charge at time incident.
IV. PLAYERS
1) Eligibility
IV Players 4) Any team using a non-contracted player will forfeit the game and the manager will be subject to a fine. This is an "Eligibility" rule not and interference / obstruction / misconduct rule. See full rule post bellow.
This rule is intended for players and teams that try and put in player during the season or play offs that have not been registered with the league this is to protect the leagues liability and team from putting in a “Ringers “to change the outcome of the games and not having this player return to the league or any other games because he is unknown by the player or league.
Since this was not the intent to hide or deceive a team as to bring in a “Ringer “to change the outcome of the game it cannot fall under this ruling. This was not an attempt to deceive the league or any another team by not registering this player to win a game or change the outcome of the game under Rule IV Players (2) so this will not be considered, and there will be no forfeit.
The Brave's team did not go out and put in a non registered player to start or insert at later part of the games to take advantage of the game, this was and act of interference / obstruction / misconduct by a player and umpire.
This was a form of Umpire's interference see ruling below that can best handle the conclusion. NBCI / NCAA / MLB rules are used in combination of the AHBA
With that said I believe and all the directors agree that this is a misconduct and un-sportsman like conduct problem with multipliable sides.
I believe Rule VII Additional Rules 4) is the correct ruling we should consider. And when it comes to the umpire making changes to the game that involves them playing, there is no ruling because this has never been a problem.
The umpire taking it upon him selves or being invited to play by a player will be handled by the league president and / owner and the umpire association direct.
1) Both managers and or a coach and or the acting manager of both teams at the time of the game are responsible for their players actions. Rule VII 4)
2) This game should have been stopped at the first pitch when there was and illegal player on the field, both managers should have approach the home plate umpire and asked for a ruling of a no pitch or that the batter be safe at the base for having a 10th man on the field or any an illegal player at that time.
3) Both manager are responsible to make sure that the safety of both teams and all the player and umpire abided by the rules of the AHBA. (Neither manager approached the home plate umpire and asked for meeting or ruling of what took place.) ( it seems to me this was brushed off as another joking matter “ this game is 24-4 its over who cares attitude ) witch the league does not take lightly and the game should have been stopped at that time.
4) The managers and umpires are responsible to make sure this game is completed by the rules until the last out of the game and to enforce any rules.
5) We also believe that the umpire committed an act that was done with misconduct and very unprofessional, and the league will deal with this direct with the umpire association.
Since their where multipliable levels of misconduct and procedure it’s hard to put blame on one person or team that allowed this to take place and continue for the next few plays.
I am very sorry any of this happen and I am upset with both teams as the level of un-sportsman like conduct continues with each and every game both on the field and off the field. This is a recreational sport we play to have fun, not for the league to baby sit players or teams, both players and director and owners need to respect each other and have fun and be thankful that we have this privilege to play baseball.
Ruling:
1.Umpire will be removed from playing in the AHBA.
2. One player Bill Yeager will be removed from the league for the rest of the season for misconduct and letting an unregistered player play on the field in his position. ( this is a team decision not the league but league agrees )
3. The League will also be imposing a fine of $25.00 each teams manager or acting manager / team for not conducting the proper stopping of the game and getting a ruling from the home plate umpire or at lease conducting a meeting before any other play was to continue, and looking out for the safety of the player and the league liability. Due August 30th 2013
4. The Reds can have the opportunity to complete this game form the time of the illegal act. This means the pitch would be deemed as a “ball” and the batter would continue to bat.
7. If the Red decided to continue this game both teams will have to pay $65.00 umpire fee each and split the $110.00 field fee 50%. This game will be played at 9:00 am Saturday August 31st. If the Brave’s team does not want to play this last inning it will be deemed a forfeit and a game three will be played. ( Red Manger will decide if this last inning is going to played by August 27th 12 noon ) via written email to the league ANBABa...@comcast.net. if game three is needed it would be August 31st 1:15. ( I don't believe that a 24-4 game with 3 at bats should be played and the league actions should be more than commendable.)
8. Teams can also impose any other fines or suspension of their own on players or managers they feel warrantied
I consider this to be series matter of un-sportsman like conduct and safety to the league and it liability. The manager are responsible for the conduct of their teams and players. Once the league has to get involve to help with the conduct of player the managers have failed to perform their duties to run the teams. If you wish to protest this any further we will bring it up to a manager vote.
Sincerely
Scott Pientka
MLB / NBC / NCAA / AHBA Rules
Protested Game.
d. No replay of any part of a game will allowed, even if the protest is proven to be legitimate, if the play in question did not directly affect the outcome of the game.
e. If the protest is proven to be legitimate and could have had a bearing upon the game, then it is upheld and play resumes from the point of the protest.
VII. ADDITIONAL RULES:
4) Conduct: Managers are responsible for the conduct of their players and spectators. It is the manager's responsibility to control his players and the fans of his team. Failure to do so can result in a forfeit, as determined by the umpires' judgment. Each manager will receive a copy of the AHBA rulebook and is solely responsible for advising his players of the rules contained therein, as well as any other information provided by the league office. Fighting, physical abuse, or abusive and offensive language by players, or spectators to umpires will not be tolerated and will subject players to fines and/or suspensions / or removal from league as set forth in these rules. Baiting or taunting other players will subject players to fines and/or suspensions and fans to ejection from the field. Making false accusations about anyone in AHBA will not be tolerated. A person who verbally threatens or otherwise assaults an official or coach can now be arrested and charged with aggravated assault under Illinois law. If convicted, the fine for this offense is $1,000 - $2,500. For league penalties regarding conduct, see section 7, Fines and Suspensions.
IV. PLAYERS
1) Eligibility: Each team will be allowed, (7) players under the age of 30 with (2) players age (21) - (25) and (5) players (26) to (29). Such players must be that age by December 31st of the current year. Team rosters must be filed by opening day. Exceptions to player eligibility rules may be approved by the league office. Players age (21) to (25) may only pitch a maximum of 4 innings per 7 inning game and 5 innings in a 9 inning game. These pitchers are to be listed on the roster as RIP's (Restricted Innings Pitcher). Teams that are allowed more than 2 players between ages (21) and (25) must declare which players will be allowed to pitch under the restricted inning rule. Teams that do not comply with the restricted inning rule will forfeit any game in which a violation occurs. The maximum number of pitchers teams may have 25 and under is 2.
2) Contracts and Fees: Only players with signed contracts (rostered players) on file with the League Office can participate in AHBA games. A player's obligation to his team extends until the end of that team's final playoff game of that season, after which he if free to negotiate with any team regarding placement for the following season. No player can be contracted to more than one team in a given season. Any team using a non-contracted player will forfeit the game and the manager will be subject to a fine.
3) Adding New Players: New players may be added during the season. A signed contract must be delivered to the league office before the player plays in his first game. Notification by telephone of every roster change must also be given to the next opposing manager prior to the new player's first game. Failure to follow this rule renders the new player ineligible for the game. A player under contract to a AHBA team for a season may not change teams without the written consent of his old manager and approval of the league office. See Page 9, Section 14 regarding the procedure for protesting player eligibility.
4) Player Responsibility: Only players who have signed a AHBA contract can play in AHBA games. By playing in a AHBA game, each player has consented to abide by these rules of good sportsmanship. Additionally, each player agrees that he will pay any and all debts owed to the league, his team or manager. Should a player fail to pay any moneys owed, he shall be indefinitely suspended by the league office, and may not play for any other team until all debts are satisfied. The Commissioners shall notify all league managers of any persons suspended under this provision.
Offensive interference
A runner jumping over a ball to avoid an offensive interference
The most common incidence of interference occurs when a member of the offensive team physically hinders the defensive team, decreasing its chances to make an out or increasing the chance that a baserunner will advance. Whenever this offensive interference occurs, the ball becomes dead. If the interference was committed by a batter or a baserunner, that player is called out and all other runners must return to the bases they occupied at the time of the interference. If interference is committed by a runner with the obvious intent of preventing a double play, the batter-runner will be called out in addition to the runner who committed the interference. If interference is committed by the batter-runner before he or she reaches first base with the possible intent of preventing a double play, the runner closest to scoring is called out in addition to the batter-runner. If interference is committed by a retired runner or by some other member of the offensive team, the runner who is most likely to have been put out will be called out.
Under Little League (LL), high school (NFHS) and college (NCAA) rules, if interference is committed by a runner with the effect of preventing a likely double play, regardless of his intent, the batter-runner will be called out in addition to the runner who committed the interference.
Also under LL and NFHS rules only, all runners are required to attempt to avoid collisions If a runner fails to do so, he is guilty of malicious contact, which is one kind of offensive interference. Malicious contact carries the additional penalty of ejection from the game. In contrast, in professional and higher amateur baseball, violent collisions can occur without any interference (or obstruction), especially when a fielder is receiving a thrown ball near a base where a runner is trying to reach. Any collision that occurs in this situation is not interference, because the fielder's action is in regard to a thrown ball. As long as such a runner's actions are related to his attempt to reach the base, he cannot be called for interference. The most common case of this is when a runner is attempting to score and the catcher has control of the ball. If the catcher is in the path between third base and home plate, the baserunner may strike the catcher with his body in an attempt to dislodge the ball from the catcher's hand and then reach home plate. This is usually attempted only when the play is close. When the catcher is set up and ready, the runner has little chance of knocking the ball away. Any such attempt presents a significant chance of injury to the baserunner, which has prompted the malicious contact rule to be used more often. In addition to the general subjective definition of offensive interference, it is also interference by specific rule when:[2]
- The bat hits the ball a second time in fair territory, such as while the bat is being dropped;
- A batter or runner intentionally deflects the course of a batted ball in any manner;
- A member of the offensive team stands near a base to impersonate a baserunner or to otherwise confuse or hinder the defense;
- A coach physically assists a runner in returning to or leaving first or third base;
- A batter is struck by a ball thrown from the home plate area while running to first base with a foot entirely outside the three-foot running lane, before the batter reaches first base;
- A runner makes contact with a batted ball that did not go through or by a fielder, unless no infielder had a chance to immediately field the ball (in this instance, the runner is out and the batter is credited with a base hit);
- A runner makes contact with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball, except the batter with the catcher in the immediate vicinity of home plate immediately after the ball was batted; or
- A member of the offensive team intentionally touches a thrown ball, or intentionally hinders a fielder attempting to make a throw.
- The batter physically hinders the catcher's opportunity to throw out a baserunner while standing outside of the batter's box.
There are some exceptions to the penalty for offensive interference.
- If there are fewer than two outs and a runner is trying to score, and the batter interferes with the tag attempt at home plate, then the runner is out for the batter's interference, while the batter is not out. If there are two outs in this situation, the normal interference penalty applies: the batter is out and the run does not score.
Verbal interference[edit source | editbeta]
At some levels of play, verbal as well as physical hindrance can be called for interference. For example, if a runner or other member of the offense calls out "foul" on a fair ball or "mine" on a fly ball, he may cause the defense to react differently than they otherwise would have, resulting in an interference call. This is not called as interference in professional or higher amateur baseball.
Cases of offensive interference[edit source | editbeta]
On October 19, 2004 in game six of the 2004 American League Championship Series, Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees intentionally swatted the arm of Boston Red Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo, who was attempting to tag Rodríguez out. The ball came loose, initially enabling Rodríguez to advance and the previous runner Derek Jeter to score. The play originally stood but on appeal, Rodríguez was ruled out on the interference and Jeter returned to first, under the general definition of the rule above.
A famous alleged offensive interference occurred in the third game of the 1975 World Series. With a runner on first, Cincinnati Reds player Ed Armbrister laid down a sacrifice bunt. Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk attempted to field the ball and throw to second base and get the lead runner out. However, Armbrister did not immediately run to first base but instead stood essentially still in the vicinity of home plate, forcing Fisk to jump into him in order to make the throw. As a result, Fisk's throw went into center field, and the Reds ended up with runners on first and third with no outs. The Red Sox protested, saying that Armbrister interfered, but home plate umpire Larry Barnett refused to change the call. The rules at the time did not mention a batter-runner/catcher collision, but the official interpretation issued to the umpires did; there is no violation on such unintentional contact. [1] The Red Sox lost the game, and ultimately lost the series in seven games, arguably in part due to the Armbrister play.
Umpire's interference[edit source | editbeta]
It is umpire's interference when the umpire hinders a catcher's attempt to throw anywhere. In this case, if the catcher's direct throw retires a runner the play stands. If not, the ball is dead and all runners must return to the bases they had most recently touched (before the catcher's throw).
It is also umpire's interference when an umpire is struck by a fair batted ball before it touches or passes near an infielder other than the pitcher. This can occur either because an umpire is inside the diamond or because the ball crosses 1st or 3rd base in fair territory then hooks or slices foul into the umpire positioned just outside the line behind the bag. In this case, the ball is dead, the batter is awarded first base, and all other runners advance only if forced. A common example is when a batter hits a fair ball down the first base line so hard that the first base umpire can't avoid it. Even though the hit would have surely been a bases clearing double or triple without the interference, it is only a single and runners advance no more than one base. This happened in the 1989 All-Star Game when the Pittsburgh Pirates' Bobby Bonilla led off the 9th with a scorching grounder that would have been an easy double, but it hit First Base Umpire Bob Engel in the legs as he tried to jump out of the way. Instead of being in scoring position down 5–3, Bonilla was forced out at 2nd the next play and the game ended on a double play.
Catcher's interference[edit source | editbeta]
Catcher's interference is called when the catcher physically hinders the batter's opportunity to legally swing at a pitched ball. This occurs most often when a catcher squats too close to home plate, so that the batter's bat touches the catcher's glove as the batter swings. This is most likely to happen on attempted steals where the catcher is anxious to catch the ball as soon as possible and may move his entire body or glove forward a bit.
In this case, play continues, and after continuous playing action ceases, the umpire will call time. The penalty here is that the batter is awarded first base, any runner attempting to steal is awarded that base, and all other runners advance only if forced. Additionally, the catcher is charged with an error (although the batter is not charged with an at-bat). However, if the actual playing result is more advantageous than the penalty, the offense may elect to ignore the infraction (e.g., if the batter-runner reaches first safely and all other runners advance at least one base, catcher's interference is ignored by rule).
Under high school (NFHS) rules only, catcher's interference is instead called catcher's obstruction.
Spectator interference[edit source | editbeta]
When a spectator or other person not associated with one of the teams (including such staff as bat boys or ball girls) alters play in progress, it is spectator interference, colloquially called fan interference. It is worth noting that the latter is also (incorrectly) used to refer to fan obstruction – for instance a spectator running onto the field and tackling a baserunner.[3] The ball becomes dead, and the umpire will award any bases or charge any outs that, in his judgment, would have occurred without the interference.[4]
Such interference often occurs when a spectator in the first row of seats reaches onto the field to attempt to grab a fair or foul fly ball. If the umpire judges that the fielder could have caught the ball over the field (i.e., the ball would have not crossed over the plane of the wall), he will rule the batter out on spectator interference. Also, the spectator who commits interference is usually ejected from the stadium. Note that spectators are allowed to catch a ball that is in play when the ball has broken the plane of the spectators' side of the wall, even if in doing so, they interfere with a player who is also trying to catch the ball. In the 2003 NLCS, Steve Bartman famously hindered Moisés Alou from catching a foul ball, but because the ball had already broken the plane of the wall, it would have landed in the stands and Alou would have had to reach over the wall to get it, no interference was called. The area where both fielders and spectators are legally allowed to catch the ball is colloquially called no man's land.
Umpires typically grab their wrist above their head to signal that spectator interference has occurred.
Cases of possible spectator interference[edit source | editbeta]
- On October 9, 1996, Jeffrey Maier became well loved in New York but hated in Baltimore over spectator interference that was not called by the umpire. In the eighth inning of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, with the Yankees trailing 4–3, Derek Jeter, the Yankee shortstop, hit a fly to the right field wall. Oriole right fielder Tony Tarasco backtracked and positioned himself to catch Jeter's fly ball just short of the wall. Maier, a 12-year-old spectator seated in the bleachers, reached out to catch the ball, and deflected it away from Tarasco and over the fence. Umpire Rich Garcia ruled the play a home run rather than calling Jeter out on spectator interference or awarding him a double (Garcia later said he believed the ball was uncatchable, but it was in the park and thus spectator interference). Maier's interference and Garcia's call resulted in a game-tying home run for Jeter. The Yankees won the game in extra innings and prevailed in the series in five games. Garcia was shown on the national broadcast laughing with fans in the front row and signing autographs at Yankee Stadium shortly before the first pitch of game 2 of the 1996 ALCS in New York.
- On July 6, 2010, the Seattle Mariners trailed the Kansas City Royals 3–2 in the 8th inning of a game. With runner Ichiro Suzuki on first base for the Mariners, Mariners designated hitter Russell Branyan hit a double down the right field line. As Royals outfielder David DeJesus attempted to make a play on the ball, a young fan reached onto the field and picked up the ball. The play was ruled a ground rule double, and the umpires ruled that Branyan would take second base and that Ichiro would take third base, denying him a potential opportunity to score on the play. Both Ichiro and Branyan would be stranded on the bases, and the Royals held on for the 3–2 victory.[5]
- On October 19, 2010, in the second inning of Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, with no score, Yankees player Robinson Canó hit a fly to the right field wall. Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz backtracked and positioned himself to jump in the air and attempt to catch Cano's fly ball at the wall. Macchirole, a 20-year-old spectator seated in the bleachers, reached out to catch the ball, and in doing so, made contact with the glove of Cruz, ending his upward momentum, and ensuring that Cruz would not catch the ball, that did reach the seats. Right Field Umpire Jim Reynolds ruled the play a home run rather than calling for Instant Replay review to determine whether spectator interference had occurred as specified by MLB's new rule regarding Instant Replay. The potential interference and umpire's call resulted in a solo home run for Cano, the Yankees taking a 1–0 lead at the time.
- On September 4, 2011, Hunter Pence of the Philadelphia Phillies hit a fly ball to deep right field. Originally ruled a live ball, instant replay showed Marlins right fielder Bryan Petersen was interfered with by multiple fans during his opportunity to catch a ball, under Rule 2.00 INTERFERENCE (d)(1) and (2). After instant replay review, first base umpire and crew chief Joe West ruled Pence out under the provisions of spectator interference, Rule 3.16, and sent Phillies baserunner Ryan Howard back to first base. Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel was ejected and elected to play the game under protest. On September 7, 2011, MLB VP of Baseball Operations Joe Torre denied the first ever protest associated with authorized instant replay usage.[6]
Weak interference[edit source | editbeta]
Several situations arise in baseball that are considered, by logical extension of the rules, not to be severe enough to warrant an interference call, but nevertheless require enforcement to maintain fair play. These are known to umpires as weak interference,[7] though this term itself does not appear in the rules. These well-defined incidents are not severe enough to be considered offensive interference. When weak interference occurs, the ball is usually called dead, but no further penalty is assessed against a baserunner or batter.
Weak interference is called when:
- A catcher touches the batter or his bat before a pitch
- A foreign object or animal flies between home plate and the pitcher before or during a pitch
- A non-participant or member of the offensive team grasps a live ball, but no play is affected and no runners attempt to advance
- The pitcher stops his pitching motion because the batter induced him to do so, such as by asking for time.
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Cases of weak interference[edit source | editbeta]
On March 24, 2001 during the 7th inning of a spring training game against the San Francisco Giants, Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks threw a fastball that struck and killed a dove that was flying between him and the batter. The bird flew over catcher Rod Barajas's head and landed amid a "sea of feathers."[8] The ball was called dead, as was the dove, and the incident was ruled "no pitch".
Common misconceptions[edit source | editbeta]
When a fielder hinders a baserunner, the situation is called obstruction, not interference. Baseball commentators will often mistakenly refer to obstruction as interference.
Not all physical contact in baseball is interference. Accidental contact that has little or no effect on play will usually be ignored; physical contact must result in an advantageous situation for the offense to be considered offensive interference. 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.
If a base runner 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 it's a declared infield fly. The base is not a sanctuary.
Being in contact with a base may protect a baserunner from being called out for interference in the case of a fielder attempting to field a batted ball.
Per MLB rules:[9]
"If a runner has contact with a legally occupied base when he hinders a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball, the runner shall not be called out unless, in the umpire's judgment, such hindrance, whether it occurs in fair or foul territory, is intentional. If the umpire declares the hindrance intentional, the following penalty shall apply: With less than two outs, the umpire shall declare both the runner and batter out. With two out, the umpire shall declare the batter out."
Per Little League rules:[10]
7.08—Any runner is out when –
(b) intentionally interferes with a thrown ball; or hinders a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball; (NOTE: A runner who is adjudged to have hindered a fielder who is attempting to make a play on a batted ball is out whether it was intentional or not);
INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
If, however, the runner has contact with a legally occupied base when he/she hinders the fielder, he/she shall not be called out unless, in the umpire's judgment, such hindrance, whether it occurs on fair or foul territory is intentional. If the umpire declares the hindrance intentional, the following penalty shall apply: With less than two out, the umpire shall declare both the runner and batter out. With two out, the umpire shall declare the batter out.
For the most part, intent to interfere is not necessary for interference to be called; however, a runner cannot be called for interference with a throw or a fielder making a throw unless such a hindrance was indeed intentional.
Offensive interference
A runner jumping over a ball to avoid an offensive interference
The most common incidence of interference occurs when a member of the offensive team physically hinders the defensive team, decreasing its chances to make an out or increasing the chance that a baserunner will advance. Whenever this offensive interference occurs, the ball becomes dead. If the interference was committed by a batter or a baserunner, that player is called out and all other runners must return to the bases they occupied at the time of the interference. If interference is committed by a runner with the obvious intent of preventing a double play, the batter-runner will be called out in addition to the runner who committed the interference. If interference is committed by the batter-runner before he or she reaches first base with the possible intent of preventing a double play, the runner closest to scoring is called out in addition to the batter-runner. If interference is committed by a retired runner or by some other member of the offensive team, the runner who is most likely to have been put out will be called out.
Under Little League (LL), high school (NFHS) and college (NCAA) rules, if interference is committed by a runner with the effect of preventing a likely double play, regardless of his intent, the batter-runner will be called out in addition to the runner who committed the interference.
Also under LL and NFHS rules only, all runners are required to attempt to avoid collisions If a runner fails to do so, he is guilty of malicious contact, which is one kind of offensive interference. Malicious contact carries the additional penalty of ejection from the game. In contrast, in professional and higher amateur baseball, violent collisions can occur without any interference (or obstruction), especially when a fielder is receiving a thrown ball near a base where a runner is trying to reach. Any collision that occurs in this situation is not interference, because the fielder's action is in regard to a thrown ball. As long as such a runner's actions are related to his attempt to reach the base, he cannot be called for interference. The most common case of this is when a runner is attempting to score and the catcher has control of the ball. If the catcher is in the path between third base and home plate, the baserunner may strike the catcher with his body in an attempt to dislodge the ball from the catcher's hand and then reach home plate. This is usually attempted only when the play is close. When the catcher is set up and ready, the runner has little chance of knocking the ball away. Any such attempt presents a significant chance of injury to the baserunner, which has prompted the malicious contact rule to be used more often. In addition to the general subjective definition of offensive interference, it is also interference by specific rule when:[2]
- The bat hits the ball a second time in fair territory, such as while the bat is being dropped;
- A batter or runner intentionally deflects the course of a batted ball in any manner;
- A member of the offensive team stands near a base to impersonate a baserunner or to otherwise confuse or hinder the defense;
- A coach physically assists a runner in returning to or leaving first or third base;
- A batter is struck by a ball thrown from the home plate area while running to first base with a foot entirely outside the three-foot running lane, before the batter reaches first base;
- A runner makes contact with a batted ball that did not go through or by a fielder, unless no infielder had a chance to immediately field the ball (in this instance, the runner is out and the batter is credited with a base hit);
- A runner makes contact with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball, except the batter with the catcher in the immediate vicinity of home plate immediately after the ball was batted; or
- A member of the offensive team intentionally touches a thrown ball, or intentionally hinders a fielder attempting to make a throw.
- The batter physically hinders the catcher's opportunity to throw out a baserunner while standing outside of the batter's box.
There are some exceptions to the penalty for offensive interference.
- If there are fewer than two outs and a runner is trying to score, and the batter interferes with the tag attempt at home plate, then the runner is out for the batter's interference, while the batter is not out. If there are two outs in this situation, the normal interference penalty applies: the batter is out and the run does not score.
Verbal interference[edit source | editbeta]
At some levels of play, verbal as well as physical hindrance can be called for interference. For example, if a runner or other member of the offense calls out "foul" on a fair ball or "mine" on a fly ball, he may cause the defense to react differently than they otherwise would have, resulting in an interference call. This is not called as interference in professional or higher amateur baseball.
Cases of offensive interference[edit source | editbeta]
On October 19, 2004 in game six of the 2004 American League Championship Series, Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees intentionally swatted the arm of Boston Red Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo, who was attempting to tag Rodríguez out. The ball came loose, initially enabling Rodríguez to advance and the previous runner Derek Jeter to score. The play originally stood but on appeal, Rodríguez was ruled out on the interference and Jeter returned to first, under the general definition of the rule above.
A famous alleged offensive interference occurred in the third game of the 1975 World Series. With a runner on first, Cincinnati Reds player Ed Armbrister laid down a sacrifice bunt. Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk attempted to field the ball and throw to second base and get the lead runner out. However, Armbrister did not immediately run to first base but instead stood essentially still in the vicinity of home plate, forcing Fisk to jump into him in order to make the throw. As a result, Fisk's throw went into center field, and the Reds ended up with runners on first and third with no outs. The Red Sox protested, saying that Armbrister interfered, but home plate umpire Larry Barnett refused to change the call. The rules at the time did not mention a batter-runner/catcher collision, but the official interpretation issued to the umpires did; there is no violation on such unintentional contact. [1] The Red Sox lost the game, and ultimately lost the series in seven games, arguably in part due to the Armbrister play.
Umpire's interference[edit source | editbeta]
It is umpire's interference when the umpire hinders a catcher's attempt to throw anywhere. In this case, if the catcher's direct throw retires a runner the play stands. If not, the ball is dead and all runners must return to the bases they had most recently touched (before the catcher's throw).
It is also umpire's interference when an umpire is struck by a fair batted ball before it touches or passes near an infielder other than the pitcher. This can occur either because an umpire is inside the diamond or because the ball crosses 1st or 3rd base in fair territory then hooks or slices foul into the umpire positioned just outside the line behind the bag. In this case, the ball is dead, the batter is awarded first base, and all other runners advance only if forced. A common example is when a batter hits a fair ball down the first base line so hard that the first base umpire can't avoid it. Even though the hit would have surely been a bases clearing double or triple without the interference, it is only a single and runners advance no more than one base. This happened in the 1989 All-Star Game when the Pittsburgh Pirates' Bobby Bonilla led off the 9th with a scorching grounder that would have been an easy double, but it hit First Base Umpire Bob Engel in the legs as he tried to jump out of the way. Instead of being in scoring position down 5–3, Bonilla was forced out at 2nd the next play and the game ended on a double play.
Catcher's interference[edit source | editbeta]
Catcher's interference is called when the catcher physically hinders the batter's opportunity to legally swing at a pitched ball. This occurs most often when a catcher squats too close to home plate, so that the batter's bat touches the catcher's glove as the batter swings. This is most likely to happen on attempted steals where the catcher is anxious to catch the ball as soon as possible and may move his entire body or glove forward a bit.
In this case, play continues, and after continuous playing action ceases, the umpire will call time. The penalty here is that the batter is awarded first base, any runner attempting to steal is awarded that base, and all other runners advance only if forced. Additionally, the catcher is charged with an error (although the batter is not charged with an at-bat). However, if the actual playing result is more advantageous than the penalty, the offense may elect to ignore the infraction (e.g., if the batter-runner reaches first safely and all other runners advance at least one base, catcher's interference is ignored by rule).
Under high school (NFHS) rules only, catcher's interference is instead called catcher's obstruction.
Spectator interference[edit source | editbeta]
When a spectator or other person not associated with one of the teams (including such staff as bat boys or ball girls) alters play in progress, it is spectator interference, colloquially called fan interference. It is worth noting that the latter is also (incorrectly) used to refer to fan obstruction – for instance a spectator running onto the field and tackling a baserunner.[3] The ball becomes dead, and the umpire will award any bases or charge any outs that, in his judgment, would have occurred without the interference.[4]
Such interference often occurs when a spectator in the first row of seats reaches onto the field to attempt to grab a fair or foul fly ball. If the umpire judges that the fielder could have caught the ball over the field (i.e., the ball would have not crossed over the plane of the wall), he will rule the batter out on spectator interference. Also, the spectator who commits interference is usually ejected from the stadium. Note that spectators are allowed to catch a ball that is in play when the ball has broken the plane of the spectators' side of the wall, even if in doing so, they interfere with a player who is also trying to catch the ball. In the 2003 NLCS, Steve Bartman famously hindered Moisés Alou from catching a foul ball, but because the ball had already broken the plane of the wall, it would have landed in the stands and Alou would have had to reach over the wall to get it, no interference was called. The area where both fielders and spectators are legally allowed to catch the ball is colloquially called no man's land.
Umpires typically grab their wrist above their head to signal that spectator interference has occurred.
Cases of possible spectator interference[edit source | editbeta]
- On October 9, 1996, Jeffrey Maier became well loved in New York but hated in Baltimore over spectator interference that was not called by the umpire. In the eighth inning of Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, with the Yankees trailing 4–3, Derek Jeter, the Yankee shortstop, hit a fly to the right field wall. Oriole right fielder Tony Tarasco backtracked and positioned himself to catch Jeter's fly ball just short of the wall. Maier, a 12-year-old spectator seated in the bleachers, reached out to catch the ball, and deflected it away from Tarasco and over the fence. Umpire Rich Garcia ruled the play a home run rather than calling Jeter out on spectator interference or awarding him a double (Garcia later said he believed the ball was uncatchable, but it was in the park and thus spectator interference). Maier's interference and Garcia's call resulted in a game-tying home run for Jeter. The Yankees won the game in extra innings and prevailed in the series in five games. Garcia was shown on the national broadcast laughing with fans in the front row and signing autographs at Yankee Stadium shortly before the first pitch of game 2 of the 1996 ALCS in New York.
- On July 6, 2010, the Seattle Mariners trailed the Kansas City Royals 3–2 in the 8th inning of a game. With runner Ichiro Suzuki on first base for the Mariners, Mariners designated hitter Russell Branyan hit a double down the right field line. As Royals outfielder David DeJesus attempted to make a play on the ball, a young fan reached onto the field and picked up the ball. The play was ruled a ground rule double, and the umpires ruled that Branyan would take second base and that Ichiro would take third base, denying him a potential opportunity to score on the play. Both Ichiro and Branyan would be stranded on the bases, and the Royals held on for the 3–2 victory.[5]
- On October 19, 2010, in the second inning of Game 4 of the American League Championship Series, with no score, Yankees player Robinson Canó hit a fly to the right field wall. Rangers right fielder Nelson Cruz backtracked and positioned himself to jump in the air and attempt to catch Cano's fly ball at the wall. Macchirole, a 20-year-old spectator seated in the bleachers, reached out to catch the ball, and in doing so, made contact with the glove of Cruz, ending his upward momentum, and ensuring that Cruz would not catch the ball, that did reach the seats. Right Field Umpire Jim Reynolds ruled the play a home run rather than calling for Instant Replay review to determine whether spectator interference had occurred as specified by MLB's new rule regarding Instant Replay. The potential interference and umpire's call resulted in a solo home run for Cano, the Yankees taking a 1–0 lead at the time.
- On September 4, 2011, Hunter Pence of the Philadelphia Phillies hit a fly ball to deep right field. Originally ruled a live ball, instant replay showed Marlins right fielder Bryan Petersen was interfered with by multiple fans during his opportunity to catch a ball, under Rule 2.00 INTERFERENCE (d)(1) and (2). After instant replay review, first base umpire and crew chief Joe West ruled Pence out under the provisions of spectator interference, Rule 3.16, and sent Phillies baserunner Ryan Howard back to first base. Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel was ejected and elected to play the game under protest. On September 7, 2011, MLB VP of Baseball Operations Joe Torre denied the first ever protest associated with authorized instant replay usage.[6]
Weak interference[edit source | editbeta]
Several situations arise in baseball that are considered, by logical extension of the rules, not to be severe enough to warrant an interference call, but nevertheless require enforcement to maintain fair play. These are known to umpires as weak interference,[7] though this term itself does not appear in the rules. These well-defined incidents are not severe enough to be considered offensive interference. When weak interference occurs, the ball is usually called dead, but no further penalty is assessed against a baserunner or batter.
Weak interference is called when:
- A catcher touches the batter or his bat before a pitch
- A foreign object or animal flies between home plate and the pitcher before or during a pitch
- A non-participant or member of the offensive team grasps a live ball, but no play is affected and no runners attempt to advance
- The pitcher stops his pitching motion because the batter induced him to do so, such as by asking for time.
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Cases of weak interference[edit source | editbeta]
On March 24, 2001 during the 7th inning of a spring training game against the San Francisco Giants, Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks threw a fastball that struck and killed a dove that was flying between him and the batter. The bird flew over catcher Rod Barajas's head and landed amid a "sea of feathers."[8] The ball was called dead, as was the dove, and the incident was ruled "no pitch".
Common misconceptions[edit source | editbeta]
When a fielder hinders a baserunner, the situation is called obstruction, not interference. Baseball commentators will often mistakenly refer to obstruction as interference.
Not all physical contact in baseball is interference. Accidental contact that has little or no effect on play will usually be ignored; physical contact must result in an advantageous situation for the offense to be considered offensive interference. 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.
If a base runner 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 it's a declared infield fly. The base is not a sanctuary.
Being in contact with a base may protect a baserunner from being called out for interference in the case of a fielder attempting to field a batted ball.
Per MLB rules:[9]
"If a runner has contact with a legally occupied base when he hinders a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball, the runner shall not be called out unless, in the umpire's judgment, such hindrance, whether it occurs in fair or foul territory, is intentional. If the umpire declares the hindrance intentional, the following penalty shall apply: With less than two outs, the umpire shall declare both the runner and batter out. With two out, the umpire shall declare the batter out."
Per Little League rules:[10]
7.08—Any runner is out when –
(b) intentionally interferes with a thrown ball; or hinders a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball; (NOTE: A runner who is adjudged to have hindered a fielder who is attempting to make a play on a batted ball is out whether it was intentional or not);
INSTRUCTOR COMMENTS:
If, however, the runner has contact with a legally occupied base when he/she hinders the fielder, he/she shall not be called out unless, in the umpire's judgment, such hindrance, whether it occurs on fair or foul territory is intentional. If the umpire declares the hindrance intentional, the following penalty shall apply: With less than two out, the umpire shall declare both the runner and batter out. With two out, the umpire shall declare the batter out.
For the most part, intent to interfere is not necessary for interference to be called; however, a runner cannot be called for interference with a throw or a fielder making a throw unless such a hindrance was indeed intentional.
References
- ^ Sec. 2.00 (Definition of Terms) of MLB's Official Rules, which includes the definition of interference
- ^ Rules 7.08b,g, 7.09
Tim Dykes
What the hell is going on here? Are we still playing Saturday?
Is Kevin Costner starring in the movie version of this story?
...
William Winczner
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mnba...@transystems.com
I heard Melissa McCarthy is playing the role of Bill Viet.
Mark Krieger
Bill Paxton! Game over man!!!
...
Katz
This was honestly the funniest thing I’ve heard all week.
You win!
Katz
Holy Christ on a crutch.
Does nobody in this league have a general grasp of the English language? I get a misspelled word here and there, but for the love of fuck, has no one ever heard of spell check? Sure, spell check won’t catch the all-to-common mistake of using “witch” for “which”, but I’m sure it would have prevented multiple uses of the word “multipliable”.
All terrible grammar aside, did anyone notice that the Braves suspended Yeager for the Championships? That could potentially be huge, as I’m not really sure who else other than that hard throwing younger guy can really deliver a knock-out blow pitching-wise. We really need to beat the Angels on Saturday!
Speaking of Saturday, do we have enough guys? I’m really struggling and don’t think I can make it, however, if we are going to be short, I’ll have to figure something out. As long as we’ve got enough guys, I won’t sweat it too much. Let me know ASAP if you can so I can formulate a plan if need be to make it to the game. The issue is, my wife works Saturday morning and I have nobody to watch the kids.
Katz
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mnba...@transystems.com
Sucks for Yeager and the ump. Any idea which ump it was? Hopefully, not the young guy, he’s the only decent one.
From: pirates-...@googlegroups.com [mailto:pirates-...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of William Winczner
Sent: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 10:43 AM
To: pirates-...@googlegroups.com; John Rotella