Now That's Really Interference ....

 This letter, written to a fictitious coach, is designed to provide background on an area where we all can improve our game knowledge and understanding. You can contribute your own "letters" or add your own comments to the "Dear Coach" section by e-mailing them to . This "letter" is authored by Brent McLaren. Any and all opinions and interpretations are his own ... etc. etc. Thank you to the many umpires who have commented on the article and assisted in correcting the "finer points."


Dear Coach,

Let's get this play straight - "the batter tips the pitch which hits the catcher's glove, flies back, ricochets's straight off my mask up into the air, where it is caught by the pitcher, on the infield." The call is ....

(I used to say I never discussed "extra-terrestrial" plays until I saw my favorite outer-space example happen last year ... batter swings and misses, ball tips of the catcher's glove and is hit fair by the batter's overswing! ... You saw it too?)

Last time we talked about interference and obstruction when committed by the offensive or defensive player on a runner or fielder. Now its time to discuss other interference calls and their potential complications. Each of these plays will involve a live ball and this is critical to the foundation of the play, consider in alphabetical order:

Interference by the Base Coach

At the outset the rule known as "assisting the runner" seems simple and straightforward. The coach at first base or third base, rarely a runner on the base paths, physically assists the runner in leaving a base or returning to a base. The call is a delayed dead ball and the runner will be called out on the spot. The defense is not penalized in its efforts to retire other runners so a double play is not taken away.

So now the batter hits a full grand-slam 6.09(d) homerun. While rounding third the base coach physically stops his progress and makes him return to third base and touch it. Is the batter-runner out for being assisted? The surprising answer is NO and the reasoning is :

  1. on a homerun the ball is dead. This is verifiable because rule 5.02 lists a homerun as an act that took place while the ball "was alive." Therefore it must no longer "be alive."
  2. when a ball is dead (Rule 5.02)
    • no player may be put out
    • no bases may be run
    • no runs may be scored
    except as the result of acts that occurred while the ball was live.
  3. the umpire is instructed to, under rule 7.05(a), let the batter-runner "without liability to be put out advance: (a). To home base, scoring a run ..."

Since the assisting call is interference it therefore must be a "live ball" infraction. For rule 7.09(i) to be applied the ball must be alive at the time of the infraction. Once a homerun is awarded you can call the runner out for: failure to touch a base (on appeal when the new ball is made live), passing a runner, running the bases in reverse order, or abandoning the base paths. Even if the team placed the runner on their shoulders and carried him from base to base, making sure each base is legally touched, score the run.

Interference by the Batter

While this was largely covered in the last letter allow me to make one further point here: that being when the batter interferes with the catcher's play at any base. Too often the batter takes a swing that would make mighty Casey proud, throwing himself full across the plate, and coincidentally taking away the catcher's throw to second base. The call is a difficult one. If I have any reason to think it was done intentionally the batter will be called "out" on interference unless the catcher succeeds in picking off the runner.

I can see the signs and very quickly will lock this move into my memory. It is one reason why I will issue a warning if I even suspect the great overswing may have been deliberate. Get to the problem before it becomes a problem. There are game situations to follow here but in general if any member on the offense repeats the performance someone is going down, either the runner or the batter.

Interference by the Catcher

"Catcher's Interference" is not the easiest call for a novice umpire to make. The noise and confusion behind the plate often give rise to close calls between the catcher and the bat. When it does occur it is always a "delayed dead ball" because the umpire must wait to see what will happen as a result of the interference. The results will divide neatly into three categories depending on whether or not the batter
  • does not hit the ball. Call "TIME" and award the batter first base, advancing all runners who are forced to advance.
  • hits a foul ball Call "TIME" and award the batter first base, advancing an runners who are forced to advance.
  • hits a fair ball There are two options that now come into play:
    1. if the batter advances to first base and all other runners advance at least one base safely play continues without reference to the interference.
    2. if there are runners on base and the anyone, advancing one base, is thrown or tagged out the coach is given an option. Look at this example: R3 and the BR is interfered with by the catcher. BR hit the ball but was thrown out at first. R3 however scored. The coach may elect to decline the penalty take the out and have R3 score - or - have R3 return to third and BR go to first. It is the coach's option and must be made immediately on the play's conclusion.

Catcher's interference when a runner is stealing home is found in rule 7.07 in the professional rule book. Here it is important to remember to initially charge the pitcher with a balk, then award the batter first base on the interference. The run scores on the balk.

One unique example of 7.07's application occurs when, with two outs, R3 attempts to steal and the batter is interfered with. R3 scores on the balk, BR goes to first. An appeal that the batter was improper is made and upheld for the third out. A whole new section of rules about improper batters and their actions enter the picture. Does the run count? Yes, because the run scored first on the balk. The subsequent actions of the improper batter, including the follow up award of first base on the interference, did not affect R3. Three out, score the run.

Interference by "Authorized Individuals"

Rule 3.15 outlines the results of unintentional interference by the host of individuals who frequent a ball game. This may include base coaches, police officers, security, photographers, camera crews, ball and bat retrievers etc. In case of unintentional interference the ball remains alive and play continues. If the interference is ruled intentional there are several scenarios all involving the immediate call of "TIME!" Here are some examples:
  • the base coach interferes with the catching of a foul fly. "Time! The batter is out, every one else back to your bases."
  • the players in the dugout interfere with the third baseman by refusing to vacate the dugout steps as he chases a fly ball.. "Time! The batter is out, every one else back to your bases."
  • the on-deck batter watches a foul fly land right beside him while the catcher and first baseman scramble around him to catch it. "Time! The batter is out, every one else back to your bases."
  • after the ball rolls under his chair the police officer kicks it into the infield. "Time! Batter first base, runner second base."
  • a ball hit to the fence is grabbed by a German shepherd before the fielder gets to it! (True story! I'm not about to argue the dog's authority; big dog!) "Time batter, second base"
Placing the runners after the time call, whenever required is your personal judgment. Accept no arguments! If the ball went to the fence and there was a runner on first you may elect to award home plate given the game and fielding circumstances.

Interference by a Spectator

It helps in understanding rule 3.16 if there is an invisible wall which divides the playing boundaries. The field side of the wall indicates the player's domain. The other side marks the territory of the spectator. Both player and spectator can reach into each other's area.

When a player reaches into the stands and attempts to catch a ball they do so at their own peril. If the catch is made the batter is out. If it is not made it returns as a "foul ball" if hit, or follows the base awarding rules if thrown. The fan can do anything they wish to try to catch the ball.

When a fan reaches into the field and touches the ball or fielder attempting a catch it is spectator interference. The ball is dead. The umpire places the runner(s) in base positions which "in his judgment" they would have attained. IF the interference prevented a fielder from catching a fly ball the umpire may call the batter out.

Interference by the Umpire

Personally, I like to view this as avoidable and unavoidable interference.

I must clarify the term "avoidable." Used here it simply means given the time, place and conditions interference occurred in a manner that is unlikely to repeat itself. Interference by the umpire is a very, very rare call.

There are times when an umpire and catcher might get tangled. This is almost always avoidable but it happens and as a result no side should gain an advantage. An umpire has to become a student of the catcher's moves. Some catchers play up tight, some lay well back. Some play high, some very low in the zone. Some catchers always move forward as they come up firing, others drop the foot back. On very rare occasions a catcher will get tangled with an umpire. When this happens the delayed-dead ball call "Umpire's Interference" followed by "Time!" at the appropriate moment must be sounded. Allow play to continue. If the catcher succeeds in retiring the runner then allow the play to stand, otherwise restore the runners to their bases.

Another avoidable and usually painful moment of umpire interference occurs you are playing in front of second base when a comebacker blasts off your heel. If the ball has yet to pass a fielder (not counting the pitcher) you call "Time! Umpire Interference" and award the batter first base, advancing other runners only if forced.

An avoidable accident should not happen but it did! The celestial movement of player, ball and official caused a situation that one side should not benefit from. All avoidable incidents are covered in the rule book. Common sense tells you to kill the play as soon as possible and to see that one team is not penalized improperly by the resulting situations.

More complicated are unavoidable moments of interference.:

  • the ball scoots under the catcher, as you pivot you realize it is at your feet and accidentally kick it away from the fielder trying to move away from the play.
  • the ball comes to a dead stop right behind your left heel. The catcher looks quickly and then runs to the screen to find it. You didn't move knowing you would kick the ball if you tried. The run scores easily.
  • the catcher turns and runs directly into you in a flying tackle configuration. You land on the ball, the runner goes all the way to third.
Every umpire will at sometime be faced with this most difficult of situation where they are figuring into some part of the play and have no real way of avoiding it. Whether you allow play to continue or immediately signal play dead is your decision, your judgment. Every play will be slightly different. Often it means a razing from the fans, sometimes a few words from and with the catcher or a coach, but al in all it is part of the game that will not change.

In Conclusion

That should just about do it. I'm gong back to my books and notes to see if any of the classic situations were overlooked. Until then I remain ....

Still calling them as I see them,


... written January 15, 1997


Return to "Dear Coach" | Main Menu | Top | Comments

email: with your comments