Understanding the difference between obstruction and interference helps players make smarter decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

🥎 Interference = Offence gets in the way

• Happens when a batter or runner interferes with a defensive player trying to make a play.
• Example: A runner bumps into the shortstop fielding a ground ball — that’s interference, and the runner is out.

🥎 Obstruction = Defence gets in the way

• Happens when a defensive player, without the ball, blocks or hinders a runner’s progress.
• Example: A catcher stands in the base path without the ball, forcing the runner to slow down — that’s obstruction, and the runner may be awarded the next base.

💡 Smart Play Tip:

Teach runners: If you feel obstruction, keep going aggressively. Don’t assume the umpire will hand you the next base. Hustle through the contact or hesitation, because the award is based on what would have happened if you hadn’t been obstructed—not what you could have done.

🧠 Smart Runner Scenario:

• Runner rounds second, shortstop (without the ball) obstructs their path.
• Runner pushes through and goes for third.
• They get tagged out at third.

🧑‍⚖️ Umpire’s judgment:

• If the umpire believes the runner would have reached third safely without the obstruction, they’ll award third base.
• If the umpire thinks the runner wouldn’t have made it, even without obstruction, they’ll send the runner back to second.
• Either way, the runner is protected from being called out on that play.

🔁 Coaching takeaway:

Tell your runners: don’t hesitate—go hard. The more assertive they are, the more likely the umpire sees that they were genuinely trying to advance and were hindered. Passive runners who pull up or wait might lose the chance to be awarded the base.