BALKS/OBSTRUCTION/ INTERFERENCE PSOA Rules Meeting

Balks Definition: An illegal act by a pitcher with runner(s) on base. 1. Feinting motion without throwing the ball to home. 2. Feints a throw to one base, throws to another without disengaging the rubber. 3. Throws to a base to retire a runner without stepping towards such base. 4. Lifts and spins to pick off to second base and comes to a stop. 5. Flex their leg before stepping towards the base they are throwing too. 6. Quick Pitch 7. Faking to third or First Base

BALKS 1. Pitchers touching the dirt circle or portable mound, or within six feet of rubber without the ball with the purpose to deceive the runner. 2. Fails to deliver to the pitcher after starting the pitching motion. 3. Pitcher takes ball off hand after taken a stretch or set position. 4. Pitcher does not come to a complete stop before throwing home. 5. Pitchers foot breaks the back edge of the pitching rubber and does not go home. 6. Pitcher makes pitching motion while not touching the rubber. 7. Ball is dropped and does not cross the foul line.

Balks The Must Gets  Not coming to a stop  Flexing legs and definite two different motions.  Turning shoulders Tips  Get the balks that are big.  Use education if game allows for it  Do not be to quick to call a balk on a lefty to first or righty to third.

BALK Videos Front Leg Flex How to recognize Front Leg Flex Dropping the Ball

BALKS Balks Penalty  High School Rule  Automatic dead ball no play can go on after umpire calls balk.  USSSA Rule  Umpire make the call, ball remains live, if all players including the batter advance one base legally balk is ignored..

Obstruction The act of the fielder (DEFENSE) who, while not in possession of or in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of the runner.  They are considered to be in the act of fielding if the ball is a step and a reach away.  If the fielder is in such position to receive a throw they are considered in the act of fielding the ball.  On a play at a base or the plate the defensive player must have clear possession of the ball before blocking any base.

Obstruction Penalty If the play is being made on the runner the umpire shall call “That’s Obstruction” the ball becomes dead and all runners be advanced to the base they would have reached if there were no obstruction.  The obstructed runner shall advance at least one base. If the play is not being made on the runner Umpire(s) Call “That’s Obstruction”. Let the play continue until the play is over. Call time and award any bases that are justified.  If a runner tries to advance farther than what the umpire judged they would have reached and is out the out stands.

Obstruction Examples First Baseman blocks first base without the ball  Time, That Obstruction, advance R1 to second base. Hit to the outfield R1 runs into the SS at second base.  That’s obstruction, at the end of the play award where R1 would have ended if there were no obstruction. Bunt down first base line. Catcher fields bunt, runner hits pitcher.  Time, that’s obstruction, all runners advance accordingly. R2, base hit to left field. Coach is putting up stop sign, F5 hits R2. After seeing the contact coach now send the player home. Player is thrown out by 20 feet.  That’s obstruction, judge would R2 had scored if F5 did not make contact?

INTERFERENCE Def: The act of the OFFENSIVE player, umpire, nongame person who interferes with; physically or verbally hinders; confuses; or impedes any fielder attempting to make a play.

INTERFERENCE Examples /Penalties Batter swings and misses. The back swing strikes the catcher while making a play on a runner.  Dead ball, send runners back to original position unless the catcher retires the runner. The plate umpire interferes with that catchers throw anywhere.  Dead ball, return the runners to original position unless throw retires a runner. The batter interferes with the catchers attempt to throw out a runner who is attempting to steal 2 nd or 3 rd.  Batter is out for interference and return the runner.  If the batter struck out on the swing batter and runner is out.  If runner is retired by the catcher ignore the interference.

INTERFERENCE Examples /Penalties The batter intentionally or unintentionally interferes with the catchers fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batters box or making ANY other movement that hinders a defensive players actions at the plate.  The batter is out and the runners return to their original base at the time of the pitch. A batter fair ball touches the batter-runner after leaving the batters box.  Batter is our return the runners.

INTERFERENCE Examples /Penalties After a hit or bunt the bat hits the ball a second time while in the batters hand or if the batter throws the bat into fair territory.  Batter is out and return the runners. If a runner is hit with a batted ball in fair territory before the ball has passed all fielders, other than the pitcher.  Ball is dead, runner is out, BR awarded first base, runners advanced if forced. Any offensive player does not vacate a live ball territory to allow the defense to make a play on the ball. (On Deck hitter, plays at home)  Batter-Runner or runner is out. Ball is dead and return the runners from the time interference happened.

INTERFERENCE Examples /Penalties While running the last half to first base the batter- runner runs outside the 3 foot runners lane and hinders or impedes with the player taking the throw at first base. (Entire foot has to be outside the line to be out of the lane) (Runner may leave the lane to avoid contact) (Runner may leave the runners lane during the last stride)  Batter runner is out and return the base runners to original position.

INTERFERENCE Examples /Penalties On a force play, the runner must slide on the ground before the base and in a direct line between the two bases. (Runner can run away from fielder) (Runner can slide away from fielder) (When in doubt it is interference)  Runner is out and if it is on a double play the Batter Runner is out automatically.

INTERFERENCE Examples /Penalties If a fielder hits a batted ball with their cap, glove mask, helmet, or any other detached equipment this is interference.  All runners shall be advanced three bases. If a fielder hits a thrown ball with detached equipment this is interference.  All runners advance two bases. If a fielder hits a pitched ball with detached equipment this is interference  Advancing runners get one base. Umpire judges where non advancing runners would have been if no interference.

INTERFERENCE Examples /Penalties If a coach is hit by a thrown ball the ball is in play. If a coach intentionally touches a thrown ball.  Runner is out and all other runners return to the base last occupied at the time of the touch. A coach, by touching or holding a runner, physically assists the runner in returning or leaving a base.  Runner is out and all runners return at the time of coaches interference.

INTERFERENCE Examples /Penalties When a spectator intentionally interferes with any thrown or batted ball, the ball is dead immediately, and the umpire shall impose penalties as will nullify the act of interference.  Defensive coach sitting outside the dugout and prevents ball going into the dugout. (Two Bases)  Offensive coach sitting outside dugout and prevents ball from being stopped by defense. Send runners back to time of interference.

OBSTRUCTION/INTERFERENCE Videos Interference of Double Play Obstruction or Interference You make the Call