Umpire Article

Stump the Umpire Q&A

By Little League Operations Deparment

MYTH - “On that throw to home, the catcher was blocking the base path before he/she caught the ball. Call Interference!”

When the defense blocks the base path without having possession of the ball it is called OBSTRUCTION, not interference. A fielder, any fielder, CANNOT block a base without having possession of the ball. See Rule 2.00 OBSTRUCTION. Also, see rule 7.06 (a) and (b).