Indianapolis, in july 9, 2007 beginning with the 2008 high school baseball season, fielders without possession of the ball will not be allowed to deny access to the base that a runner is attempting to achieve. It also requires you to move if law enforcement makes a reasonable request for you disperse during a public safety event like a riot or to prevent the obstruction of a highway or passageway. Become a part of the largest baseball rules community in the world. As a baseball fan, i thought i knew everything about how the rules of the game, but i wasnt aware of the details of the obstruction rule and its background before researching this article. Breaking down mlbs new rules on infield slides, pace of play. The distance from home base to the nearest fence, stand or other obstruction on fair territory shall be 250 feet or more. Baseball injuriestrucking catchersobstruction rules youtube. It was an interesting week in major league baseball as america began to look more carefully into the rules that govern the great game. Since the beginnings of baseball in the 19th century, players have adopted unwritten rules about how to behave during the game. Back in the late 19th century, when baseball was still a relatively young game, collisions on the basepaths were becoming a problem, so major league baseball established the modern obstruction rule to give baserunners the right of way, preventing fielders from blocking their.
The more you know about the obstruction rule the smarter you will be. If the batterrunner has not reached first base, runners remain at their bases held at the timeofpitch. Get free access to baseball forums, rules analysis and exclusive email content from current and former major league baseball players and umpires. If youve ever seen an umpire rule book, youll appreciate the convenience of this baseball resource. On a motorway do not try to remove the obstruction yourself. Electronic scorebook must be used only in the bench area. He claims there exists a big difference in the interpretation of the obstruction rule between college and the prosmbl. Use of a courtesy runner is the only speed up rule that is allowed. In so doing, boise baseball claimed it had complied with the baseball rule and was, therefore, entitled to summary judgment dismissing rountrees lawsuit.
If a players feet are in fair territory when the ball is touched, it. Use of any object in the coachs box other than a stop watch, rule book hard copy and scorebook. There are quirks at every level of this game, from mlb to little league. Aggravated obstruction of a highway of commerce is the intentional or criminally negligent placing of anything or performance of any act on any railway, railroad, navigable waterway, road, highway, thoroughfare, or runway of an airport, wherein it is foreseeable that. The uil and have teamed up to make results, records, team information and stats from uil sports available using maxpreps sports information system. Clarifies a substitute as it applies to other rules in the present rules book. In addition, the rule includes an abbreviated reference to the legislation which creates the offence. In baseball, blocking the plate is a technique performed by a catcher to prevent a runner from. Members failing to abide by these are subject to suspension, expulsion or game forfeits as decided by the board of directors. Elliot hopkins, mld, caa director of sports, sanctioning and student services.
By the rules of baseball, a runner has the right to an unobstructed path to a base. A normal baseball game is 9 innings but if the score is tied at the end, they just have another inning, and another, and another, and another. You may also be charged with obstruction of a highway if you disobey a request by an officer or anyone with authority to control the area you are obstructing to move. Be outside the designated dugout or bench area if not a batter, runner, on deck batter, in the coachs box or one of the nine players on defense. If a fielder is about to receive a thrown ball and if the ball is in flight directly toward and near enough to the fielder so he must occupy his position to receive the ball he may be considered in the act of fielding a ball. Awarding bases when there is spectator interference 6. Over 30 baseball philosophy, rules, and regulations. Is obstruction of highwayintoxication really a better. The rules have evolved from the original knickerbocker rules in 1845, to the first set of national league rules in 1877. That is, in little league a fake tag can be considered obstruction, but it is never considered such beyond high. High school rules nfhs baseball rules book treat obstruction differently from obr. Mlb executive vice president of baseball operations joe torre added late monday that mlb has the right to issue supplemental discipline in the form of fines or suspensions for flagrant acts.
It is quite simple now for the umpires to rule on obstructionif the defense does. In baseball, obstruction is when a fielder illegally hinders a baserunner running within the basepath. Ncaa collegiate baseball umpire and rules information, ncaa baseball rules. Colorado hs baseball alum brandon mccarthy dishes on pitch cou. Coaches are asked for their cooperation in banning tobacco from any team areas so this is not a problem. Baseball isnt typically considered a contact sport, thanks in large part to one rule. In the past, runners in mlb could truck catchers making plays at home plate, often with serious consequences for. The texas offense of obstructing highway or other passageway makes it illegal to obstruct a highway or other passageway without legal privilege or authority.
Baseball rules and regulations vary from league to league, so its important to find out the rules of a given league before participating. Major league baseball and the players union have announced a couple of changes to the rule book. Rules for breakdowns and incidents, including rules for motorways, obstructions, incidents, incidents involving dangerous goods and documents. Oct 27, 20 text of mlb obstruction rule cited in world series st. A temporary partial sidewalk closing permit shall be required when more than three feet from the property line is obstructed by a fence. Heres the rulebook definition, found in definitions obstruction. When you run across a rule that you are having trouble with you can use the brd as a supplemental reference. High school associations 2019 nfhs baseball rules powerpoint b. The stories behind 12 seemingly obvious baseball rules. I use it to umpire little league, and it covers everything you need to know in good detail. If you have read this book, you will be doubly prepared for such exam questions. College softball panel approves obstruction rule change.
Ive had my own experience with oah in galveston county. Baseball has a lot of weird and quirky rules that should be revised, but obstruction is not one of them. The court noted that baseball is an inherently dangerous activity and that the spectator is in the best position to protect him or herself from injury at a baseball game. Bob and anthony are the baseball guys on this website, crossing broad, but im going to take this story. Southeastern, tony thompson, 4425 stone mountain highway, lilburn, ga.
It is certainly a good enticement not to go to trial on a dwi. High school and college versions of the rule also add rules against malicious or flagrant contact. Baseball injuriestrucking catchersobstruction rules. Lessons learned just like hot days, lemonade and baseball, construction season on americas highways and byways is a sure sign of summer in the u.
Oct 27, 20 baseball world revolves around obstruction rule october 27, 20 at 9. The umpire shall then call time and impose such penalties, if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction. The book is an excellent umpire manual for baseball umpires. It is the responsibility of the runner to avoid the fielder when the fielder is making a play on the ball. A distance of 320 feet or more along the foul lines, and 400 feet or more to center field is prefer able. The obstruction has to be willful, so you will often be asked to move by the police, and if you do not, then this could be used as evidence of your willful obstruction in court. Baserunners are generally permitted to run from base to base without being physically blocked or hindered by a fielder. I have my original from 1989 and was used to that original foremat. The only negative i can see with this book is that it doesnt come in pocket size for you to use at games.
Obstruction is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball or not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. As well, there are different rules for obstruction, and they are applied differently at different levels. Baseball rules academy exists to simplify this crazy game. What does the rule book say about the upper part o.
The only time that a fielder is not obligated to get out of the way of a baserunner is when the fielder is fielding or in. Case book material is printed in smaller type than the rule language and is labeled as. It was 8 hours and 25 minutes long and after 33 innings the chicago white sox beat the milwaukee brewers. Contact does not have to be made for the umpire to rule obstruction. Obstruction baseball jump to navigation jump to search. The national federation of state high school associations has written a set of rules applicable to high school baseball played in the united states.
The purpose of this page is to provide answers and explanations to questions regarding baseball rules, and make a rules training video and training manual available for purchase. In other words, this means that the defensive team is trying to make a defensive play on a player without possession of the ball. 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. An obstructed runner is always protected and if need be awarded the next base beyond the last base touched. An obstruction of highway charge is defined in the texas penal code as illegally blocking a highway, street, sidewalk, railway, etc. While each state may have its own set of rules that can result in slight differentiation, high school baseball played anywhere across the nation uses similar rules and regulations. Elliot hopkins, mld, caa, editor nfhs publications to maintain the sound traditions of this sport, encourage sportsmanship and minimize the inherent risk of injury, the national federation of state high school associations writes playing rules for.
Breaking down mlbs new rules on slides, pace of play. Types of obstruction and corresponding penaltiesedit. We will monitor the rule closely this season before discussing with the commissioners office whether the rule should become permanent. Rule changes for 2020 are noted in the document below. Although failure to comply with the other rules of the highway. We recommend that all teams home and visitor keep a scorebook. 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. Obstructing highway or other passageway saputo law. Obstruction in high school baseball nfhs baseball umpires. Obstruction of highway the law office of rj harber. What would happen if the obstruction rule had never been introduced at.
Obstruction occurs when fielder does not have possession of the ball or is not in the act of fielding a ball but impedes the runner who is legally running between bases. Code of ethics baseball as a game has been played at the colleges and universities of this country for more than 140. Obstruction asa ruling does the runner automatically get. Louis cardinals yadier molina reacts as allen craig lays on home plate after getting tangled with boston red soxs will middlebrooks during. Mar 27, 2012 this feature is not available right now. There is a twist, however, because while obstruction only affects base runners, spectator interference affects the defense. And understanding them will help you become a true baseball expert.
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. 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. The 2014 revision to the official baseball rules, in renumbering the rules, has disposed of the timehonored type a and type b obstruction. A digital highway code may be desirable and help ensure. Authors note whats the obstruction rule in baseball. Elliot hopkins, mld, caa, editor nfhs publications to maintain the sound traditions of this sport, encourage sportsmanship and minimize the inherent risk of injury, the national federation of state high school associations writes playing rules for varsity competition among. By definition, obstruction occurs when 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. Obstruction and interference are rule violations that occur in the field of play, typically involving base runners. Philosophy, rules, and regulations revised december 16, 2019 over thirty baseball, inc.
According to sportswriter ross bernstein, these rules have evolved over time. Variances in the little league baseball, little league softball and little. Official rule and does not require a reader to refer to different sections of the official baseball rules book in considering the application of a particular rule. For umpires to truly understand obstruction, we need to first define it and then look at how obstruction has been viewed over the history of the game of baseball. Here is one valuable option you may wish to add to your baseball rules course. Game 3 ended in a weird way, not a problematic way. I spoke with an umpire yesterday about the obstruction rule. Many amateur and youth leagues use the obr with only a few modifications for safety. Obstruction to bases prohibited in 2008 baseball rules. The act of a fielder who, while not in the possession of. Baseball rule suffers another blow in foul ball case. The shortcomings of the official rules are carefully enumerated in my book more than 100 problems with the official baseball rules. Baseball rules academy the rules of baseball, explained.
When the obstruction occurs, the umpire shall call or signal obstruction. Baseball obstruction rules are meant in part to tackle that issue head on. Baseball shoes 17 3 10ab, penalty fielders gloves 17 3 11 catchers glove 17 3 12ad pitchers glove 18 3 ad batting helmet 18 3 14ab, penalty catchers equipment 19 3 15ab, notes blood rule 1920 3 16ac playerssubstitute 2027 4 119 number adult coaches 20 4 1. If the runner achieves the base he was attempting to acquire, then the obstruction is ignored. Obstruction and interference little league umpiring. Mar 31, 2018 baseball obstruction rules are meant in part to tackle that issue head on. Purchase a copy of baseball rule differences by carl childress and keep it handy during the course of your study. Tackling obstruction the concept of obstruction in baseball has been part of the game since near its inception.
It may be that the mother in the stands had been watching baseball under mlb rules, which state. The highway code for cars, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists. Baseball national federation of state high school associations. 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. Little league baseball and softball has updated its. Breakdowns and incidents 274 to 287 the highway code.
Baseball softball lineup sheets 100 sheets baseball softball scorebook. 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. 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. If you have not read that book, the information and questions you encounter will probably lead you toward this valuable supplement. 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. Since those years, some major changes and rule additions have taken place and baseball almanac has, hopefully, listed them into an easy to understand timeline. Aug 18, 2017 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. Answers to frequently asked questions baseball rules. Many youth baseball players have watched the sport or been around it before they play for an organized team, but coaches are responsible for making sure the youngsters understand baseball rules. The infield shall be graded so that the base lines and home plate are level. The obstructed runner is awarded a minimum of one base beyond his position on base when the obstruction occurred. The rules are also published in book form in north america by the sporting news. Recently my colleague, robert guest of the dallas area, posted an article on his dallas criminal defense lawyer blog about the mysterious offense of obstructing a highway oah.
The home team will be considered the official book. The complete rules are published as the official baseball rules at, the official web site of major league baseball in the united states and canada. Type a obstruction type a obstruction occurs when a play is being made on the obstructed runner, or if the batterrunner is obstructed before he touches first base. 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. Rules are generally listed as they appear in one of the respective rules books, with rule.
The home team must report the final score to the tournament director within one hour of the completion of its respective game. Obstruction is an act by which the defensive team impedes the batting team from advancing around the bases. Case book material in this edition are in shaded boxes and are labeled as comment. When obstruction occurs, the umpire shall call or signal obstruction. Case book material is printed in smaller type than the rule language and is labeled as comment. Back in the late 19th century, when baseball was still a relatively young game, collisions on the basepaths were becoming a problem, so major league baseball established the modern obstruction rule to give baserunners the right of way, preventing fielders from blocking their path source. Majority baseball rule limits spectator liability law. Baseball world revolves around obstruction rule cbs boston. If the ball is pitched, all action on the play is negated. All runners are awarded one base and the count on the batter remains the same.