Which statement correctly distinguishes obstruction from interference?

Which statement correctly distinguishes obstruction from interference?

• A. Obstruction is a fielder hindering a runner without possessing the ball; Interference is batter/runner/coach/spectator hindering a fielder from making a play.
• B. Obstruction is when a fielder hinders a fielder; Interference is when a fielder hinders a runner.
• C. Obstruction is only called on the catcher; Interference is only called on the pitcher.
• D. Obstruction and Interference are the same.

Answer: (A)

Think about who is hindering and in what situation. Obstruction happens when a defensive player (a fielder) blocks or hinders a baserunner or batter-runner while the defender does not have the ball. The ball stays in play, and the umpire awards the runner the base they would have reached if unobstructed. Interference happens when someone other than the fielder with the ball hinders a fielder from making a play on a batted ball—this can be the batter, a runner, a coach, or even a spectator. The ball is dead and penalties apply accordingly. So the statement that obstruction is a fielder hindering a runner without possessing the ball and interference is batter/runner/coach/spectator hindering a fielder from making a play is the correct distinction.

Think about who is hindering and in what situation. Obstruction happens when a defensive player (a fielder) blocks or hinders a baserunner or batter-runner while the defender does not have the ball. The ball stays in play, and the umpire awards the runner the base they would have reached if unobstructed. Interference happens when someone other than the fielder with the ball hinders a fielder from making a play on a batted ball—this can be the batter, a runner, a coach, or even a spectator. The ball is dead and penalties apply accordingly. So the statement that obstruction is a fielder hindering a runner without possessing the ball and interference is batter/runner/coach/spectator hindering a fielder from making a play is the correct distinction.