Interference Rules of Baseball

There are four rules of interference that are recognized and enforced by the Major League Baseball Association. These rules include both defensive and offensive plays and in all four of the plays if interference is called, the ball is dead. The Great American Pastime has many rules and regulations that help the game run smoothly and the interference rules are one example.

  1. Spectator Interference

    • When a spectator in the crowd interferes with the play either by reaching out and touching the live ball, running out on to the baseball field during play or interferes with the live ball or live play in anyway, a spectator interference is called.

    Offensive Interference

    • A base runner has to try to avoid at all costs an infielder who is trying to catch a pop-up or ground ball. If the runner contacts the fielder, the runner is out on interference. In this situation if interference is called the ball is dead and all runners on base return to the previous base they occupied during that last pitch.

    Defensive Interference

    • A defensive interference would occur if a fielder hindered the batter's ability to hit a pitched ball. This also includes interference by the catcher. Catcher’s interference occurs when the catcher reaches forward to catch the pitch and the hitter's bat makes contact with the catcher's glove as he is swinging.

    Umpire Interference

    • There are two types of umpire interference. The first type of umpire interference may occur if the umpire impedes or hinders the pitcher’s throw or the catcher’s ability to catch the ball in the case that it would prevent a stolen base. The other type of umpire interference is if the live ball should strike an umpire before passing a fielder, in fair playing ground. In both situations of umpire interference the ball is proclaimed dead and the play done over.