Important notes 1 the playing rules committee, at its december 2014 meeting, voted to reorganize and recodify the official baseball rules into a more logical. The complete rules are published as the official baseball rules at. May 05, 2017 so i set out to rewrite the rule book and put it on a computer form so you could take it around with your mobile device and type in a couple keywords, whatever that play may be. When an umpire awards the batter or any runner or runners one or more bases because of interference or obstruction, charge the fielder who committed the interference or obstruction with one error, no matter how many bases the batter, or runner or runners, may be advanced. Such devices make structures more visible to aircraft, and are usually used at night. In every case of spectator interference with a batted or thrown ball, the ball shall be declared dead and the baserunners can be placed. Text of major league baseballs obstruction rules, cited by. Major league baseballs 240page rule book is the sports version of the tax codefilled with obscurities that few understand. 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. Baseball rules news newspapers books scholar jstor october 2015 learn how and when to remove this template message. To purchase a printed hard cover copy of the rule book please contact the australian.
All portions of this particular page and the pages of the official major league rules book are sole property of major league baseball and have been reproduced without any alteration by baseball almanac. Baseball rules book in considering the application of a particular rule. Darkness, when a law prevents the lights from being turned on. This is referred to as protecting the runner to a base. The umpireinchief shall order the playing field lights turned on whenever in his. Obstruction in high school baseball nfhs baseball umpires. This document was adapted from the major league baseball umpire manual, with permission from the office of the commissioner of baseball. Rule 1 circuits a conditions to relocation to another clubs territory.
Infield fly rule october 5, 2012 an infield fly is a fair fly ball not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, orfirst, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. Relief from an obstruction is provided for in rule 31. Digital rule book a game changer for baseball fans kane. Obstruction is an act by which the defensive team impedes the batting team from advancing around the bases section 2. Obstruction describes an act by a fielder, who is not in possession of the ball or in the process of fielding it, that impedes the. Oct 27, 20 the wild ending to game 3 of the world series prompted plenty of questions over the obstruction call that led to the cardinals walkoff win. It is the responsibility of the runner to avoid the fielder when the fielder is making a play on the ball. Joyce involved in another controversy times colonist. All portions of this particular page and the pages of the official major league rules book are sole property of major league baseball and have been reproduced without any alteration by baseball almanac who first obtained the written permission of the office of the commissioner. Obstruction and interference little league umpiring.
Louis allen craig on jon jays ninthinning grounder. Text of mlb obstruction rule cited in world series fox. Visit our frequently asked questions section to find solutions for your issues. Such devices make structures more visible to aircraft, and are usually used at night, although they may be used during the day. The rule against obstruction was first formalized as part of the 1856 version of the national association of base ball players rules. At fenway park in boston, if a line drive to center goes through the lights or camera eye of the green monster.
According to the official rule book, obstruction is defined as 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. Text of mlb obstruction rule cited in world series fox sports. For umpires to truly understand obstruction, we need to first define it and then look at. When a balk is called, the ball is dead and all runners move up one base. Note the emphasis on the words while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball. Tackling obstruction the concept of obstruction in baseball has been part of the game since near its inception. To enforce obstruction b, wait for the final play outcome before deciding on a call. The more you know about the obstruction rule the smarter you will be. In the event of a temporary failure of lights while a ball is in flight or a play is in progress and the. Any structure that exceeds 200 feet above ground level generally needs to be marked lighted according to faaicao regulations. Players must adhere to these rules or else face onfield penalties imposed by the umpires and, occasionally, offfield disciplinary measures. The rule is in place to prevent a pitcher from deceiving the baserunners. So i set out to rewrite the rule book and put it on a computer form so you could take it around with your mobile device and type in a couple keywords, whatever that play may be.
Fans every now and then screw up the game for the rest of us. According to the official rule book, obstruction is defined as. The mlb rule book says that only a manager can ask for an appeal o. Important notes 1 the playing rules committee, at its december 2014 meeting, voted to reorganize and recodify the official baseball rules into a more logical and organized manner.
A suspended game in major league baseball occurs when a game has to be stopped before it can be completed. When all play stops, enforcement depends on the final play outcome. Obstruction asa ruling does the runner automatically. Each type of interference is covered differently by the rules. I spoke with an umpire yesterday about the obstruction rule. Could you please explain the catchers interference rule. They point out that the obstruction call was correct by the letter of the mlb rule book, which states. For example in the pros according to this ump you can block the plate waiting for a ball in flight, however in college you can only block the plate with the ball in your hand. When a game is suspended, the game is to be completed at a later time or date.
The mlb obstruction rule that ended game 3 for the win. No part of the official baseball rules may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means. The wild ending to game 3 of the world series prompted plenty of questions over the obstruction call that led to the cardinals walkoff win. Text of mlb obstruction rule cited in world series st. Obstruction is an act by which the defensive team impedes the batting team from advancing around the bases. Jun 01, 2017 2017 official rules of major league baseball triumph books on. Observe the obstruction and allow the play to continue. The umpire shall then call time and impose such penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction. 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.
Decide at that time what base you believe the runner is likely to reach, had it not been for the obstruction. The padres and dbacks had one of the most interesting plays of the 2015 when they hosted the padres may 10. Official australian baseball rules 6th edition sportstg. Oct 27, 20 the rule as stated in the mlb rule book.
One of his guilty pleasure of life is watching the sun go down as the lights on the. The rules of baseball differ slightly from league to league, but in general share the same basic. Infield fly rule october 5, 2012 an infield fly is a fair fly ball not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort. At fenway park in boston, if a line drive to center goes through the lights or camera. Contact does not have to be made for the umpire to rule. A balk is an illegal act by the pitcher when one or more runners are on base. Whether your structure is a tower or a solid structure such as a chimney or building there are many factors that can affect obstruction marking requirements, such as weather. He claims there exists a big difference in the interpretation of the obstruction rule between college and the prosmbl. Contact does not have to be made for the umpire to rule obstruction. Obstruction in high school baseball nfhs obstruction and the related base awards and amount of protection always seem to be confusing on the field and in the classroom whenever. Oct 27, 20 text of mlb obstruction rule cited in world series st. Oct 27, 20 the umpire shall then call time and impose such penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction. Apr 27, 2008 obstruction in high school baseball nfhs obstruction and the related base awards and amount of protection always seem to be confusing on the field and in the classroom whenever discussing the rule.
The distance from home base to the nearest fence, stand or other obstruction on. Baseball canada offers its sincere thanks to major league baseball for permission to use this contents. The obstruction rule bans unsanctioned collisions on the basepaths by preventing defensive players from blocking the passage of the baserunners. Here is a look at five of the strangest rules that are somehow still. Aircraft warning lights are highintensity lighting devices attached to tall structures as collision avoidance measures. When an umpire awards the batter or any runner or runners one or more bases because of interference or obstruction, charge the fielder who committed the interference. Baseball is an intricate game with plenty of unique characteristics, and major league baseball has many rules, regulations and standards governing its onfield practices. In baseball, interference occurs in situations in which a person illegally changes the course of play from what is expected. Louis cardinals beat the boston red sox in game 3 on a controversial play at busch stadium to take a 21 lead in the world series. An infield fly is a fair fly ball not including a line drive nor an attempted bunt which can be caught by an infielder with ordinary effort, when first and second, orfirst, second and third bases are occupied, before two are out. In the asa 2014 official rules of softball you must consult. Federal lighting regulations unimar faa obstruction. In baseball, obstruction is when a fielder illegally hinders a baserunner running within the basepath. I have my original from 1989 and was used to that original foremat.
Interference is a broad rule book term that refers to a number of illegal actions that occur during a contest to change the course of the game. Site glossary definitions from the little league rule book. Obstruction calls almost invariably involve accidental contact. Text of mlb obstruction rule cited in world series. Interference can be committed by the team at the plate or the team in the field, as well as by players not even in the game at the time, an umpire, a fan, or another individual not associated with the team. Interference can be committed by the team at the plate or. The official scorer shall forward the official score report to the league statistician instead of to the league office, if requested to do so by the league. Official rules are highlighted in a shaded box rather than being printed in smaller typeface as had been the case in prior to 2015.
Heres the rulebook definition, found in definitions obstruction. Louis cardinals yadier molina reacts as allen craig lays on home plate after getting tangled with boston red soxs will middlebrooks during. In the ws game 3, middlebrooks was called for obstruction against craig as craig. Heres the rule book definition, found in definitions obstruction. Baserunners are generally permitted to run from base to base without being physically blocked or. Interference might be committed by players on the offense, players not currently in the game, catchers, umpires, or spectators. Obstruction and interference are rule violations that occur in the field of play, typically involving base runners. While in the mlb, in north america, it is left as umpire judgement. It may be that the mother in the stands had been watching baseball under mlb rules, which state. When the lights are restored, runners are allowed to run bases in accordance.
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