A fielder may not catch or field a live batted or thrown ball and subsequently carry it into dead-ball territory.

EFFECT: Game officials shall declare a “Dead Ball”. The batter and each base runner are awarded one base, without the liability to be put out. The one base award shall be assessed from the last base legally touched at the time the fielder entered dead-ball territory. If the ball is a legally caught fly ball the batter shall be declared out. If game officials judge a fielder intentionally carries, pushes, kicks, pitches, or throws a live ball from playable territory into dead-ball territory the ball shall be declared dead and each runner is awarded two based from the last base legally touched at the time the ball entered dead-ball territory.

Obstruction occurs when a defensive player who is not in possession of the ball or in the act of fielding a batted ball, hinders the batter's attempt to make contact with a pitch or impedes the progress of any runner who is legally running bases on a live ball. Obstruction can be physical, verbal, intentional, or unintentional. Obstruction shall be ruled if a defensive player is blocking the whole plate/base or base path without possession of the ball and/or the runner does not have a path to the plate/base.

NOTE:
1. Physical contact is NOT required for obstruction to be ruled.
2. Obstruction may occur on a force or tag play.
3. In past years coaches instructed players to block the base, catch the ball and apply the tag. Now the defensive player must first catch the ball, block the base, and apply the tag.

Catcher Obstruction

1. The catcher shall not hinder, prevent, or obstruct the batter's attempt to make contact with a pitch.

EFFECT: Delayed Dead-Ball is signaled. If the batter contacts the ball and reaches first base safely and all other base runners have advanced at least one base on the batted ball, the catcher obstruction is canceled. All other playing action resulting from the batted ball stands. A base runner is considered to have reached a base even if she has passed it and missed contacting the base for the purpose of this rule. If the batter does not reach first base safely or if one of the other base runners does not advance at least one base, the offensive coach has the option of taking the result of the play. If the coach does not take the result of the play they may elect: (1) The batter is awarded first base. (2) If forced, each base runner advances one base without liability to be put out. If not forced, each base runner returns to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.

EXCEPTION: If the catcher steps on or in front of home plate or touches the batter or her bat while a pitch is on its way to the plate and there is a base runner on third base attempting to score on a squeeze play, each base runner advances one base without liability to be put out regardless of being forced or not.

NOTE: If a game official requests a catcher to move farther away from the batter to avoid injury or obstruction, the catcher must comply.

Fielder Obstruction

1. A fielder who does not have possession of the ball nor in the act of fielding a batted ball shall not impede the runner.
2. A fielder shall not intentionally disrupt the course of a fair ball with the intent to cause the ball to go foul (EX:Blow on a rolling ball or dig in the dirt).
3. A fielder shall not position herself in a base runner's line of vision to intentionally block the base runner's ability to observe the first touch of a fly ball.
4. A fielder in the act of fielding a batted ball shall not intentionally alter her motion in an effort to obstruct the batter-runner or base runner.
5. A fielder shall not fake a tag on a base runner. A fake tag occurs when a fielder not in possession of the ball pretends to have the ball and simulates a tag, subsequently causing the runner to slow down or stop.
6. A fielder shall not at any time obstruct a runner from her base path during a rundown and prohibit her from advancing or returning to a base.

EFFECT: Any time obstruction occurs, obstruction shall be called verbally, and a delayed dead-ball is signaled. If the obstructed runner safely reaches the base she would have achieved had the obstruction not occurred or she is put out at a base beyond the base she should have reached had there been no obstruction, no further action occurs.
If the obstructed runner is not put out and does not reach the base she should have achieved had the obstruction not occurred, at the end of playing action she shall be awarded the appropriate base(s).
If the obstructed runner is put out prior to reaching the base she would have achieved had the obstruction not occurred, a dead ball is called at the time of the apparent put out and the obstructed runner and each other runner impacted by the obstruction will be awarded the base(s) she/they should have achieved in the game official's judgment had the obstruction not occurred.
If the runner collides flagrantly, the ball is dead immediately and although the runner is declared safe on the obstruction call, she is ejected.

NOTE:
1. Base awards should be made even after the third out of an inning and if an obstructed runner would have scored prior to the third out, the run would score on the base award.
2. If other runners are advancing and an game official suspends play after an out on an obstructed runner (who did not reach the base she would have achieved in the game official's judgment had the obstruction not occurred) the other runners would be awarded the next base provided they had advanced more than halfway to the next base. If not, the runner shall return to the previous base unless forced to advance.

7. A fielder shall not obstruct a runner rounding a base.
8. A fielder shall not obstruct a runner leading off or returning to a base.
9. A fielder shall not use force to shover or push a runner off the base she possesses in order to put her out.
10. A fielder shall not position herself in the runner's line of vision to intentionally prevent her from seeing the release of the pitch or distract her.

EFFECT: Delayed Dead-Ball is signaled. The first offense of an individual shall result in the game official issuing a warning to the offender and notify the head coach of the infraction. Subsequent violations, the game official shall award a base beyond the base where the obstruction occurred unless the base runner safely advances farther on her own.

11. A pitch that has not reached home plate, a fielder shall not prevent the batter from having a reasonable opportunity to contact the pitch.

EFFECT: The ball is dead and the batter and all base runners are awarded one base regardless of being forced.

Equipment Obstruction

1. A fielder shall not intentionally contact or catch a fair batted, thrown, or pitched ball with any equipment or any part of the uniform that is detached from its proper place on the player's person.

EFFECT: If the equipment obstruction occurs on a fair batted ball or with a batted foul ball that in the opinion of the game official might become fair, the batter runner and all runners shall be awarded three bases from the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch. Runners may advance further with liability to be put out.
If the illegal catch or touch occurs on a fair hit ball that in the judgment of the game official would have cleared the home run fence in flight the batter runner and all other runners shall be awarded home plate. The ball may have been prevented by detached player equipment that was thrown, kicked, tossed, or held by a fielder.
If the equipment obstructs a thrown ball, the batter runner and each other runner are awarded two bases from the last base legally contacted at the time of the throw.
Runners may advance further with liability to be put out. NOTE: If no play is apparent, there is no penalty.

Flagrant Obstruction

1. Fielders are prohibited from using flagrant or excessive force to impede the batter, batter-runner, or base runner.
2. A fielder shall not attempt to record an out by using excessive force to push a runner occupying a base off her occupied base.

EFFECT: Delayed Dead-Ball is signaled. The necessary obstruction effect is applied and the offender shall be ejected.

An obstructed runner is still required to touch all bases in proper order, or she could be declared out on a proper appeal by the defensive team.

An obstructed runner may not be called out between the two bases she was obstructed unless one of the following occurs:

1. The obstructed runner after safely attaining the base she would have been awarded in the game official's judgment had there been no obstruction and there is a subsequent play on another runner. The obstructed runner is no longer protected if she leaves the base.
2. When another violation is being played upon.
3. The obstructed runner commits an act of interference.
4. The obstructed runner passes another runner.
5. A proper appeal is made for failing to touch a base.
6. A proper appeal is made for leaving a base prior to a fly ball being first touched.
7. When a batter hits a fly ball that is caught or an infield fly is ruled and the batter-runner is subsequently obstructed on the way to first base.

If an obstructed runner is awarded a base she would have achieved had no obstruction occurred and a preceding runner is on that base, the obstructed runner will be awarded that base and the preceding base runner shall be entitled to the next base without liability to be put out.

If an obstructed base runner is awarded a base she would have made had there been no obstruction and a trailing runner is on that base, the obstructed base runner will be awarded the base and the trailing runner will be returned to the preceding base unless forced to advance because of the actions of the batter-runner.

If an act of interference occurs after any obstruction, enforcement of the interference effect takes precedence provided both violations involve the same runner.

If the obstructed runner attempts to advance past the base she would have reached had there not been obstruction or past the base she would have been awarded for the obstruction, she is running with liability to be put out unless she is between the two bases where obstruction occurred. If she is put out, she remains out. The ball remains live.

When a fair, untouched batted ball contacts the game official or his/her attached equipment or clothing before passing a fielder (other than the pitcher), or after passing a fielder (including the pitcher) but another fielder had a reasonable opportunity to make a play.

When a fair, untouched batted ball strikes the game official or his/her attached equipment or clothing before touching a fielder (including the pitcher).

EFFECT: The ball is dead. The batter-runner is awarded first base. If forced, each base runner advances one base with no liability to be put out. If not forced, each base runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch. Exception: It is not interference and the ball remains in play, if the ball: (1) hits the game official after passing a fielder other than the pitcher, and no other fielder has a reasonable chance to make a play; or (2) hits the game official after touching a fielder (including the pitcher).

NOTE: When the ball touches the official while still in flight, it shall be deemed a ground ball. It cannot be caught as a fly ball.

When the plate official or his/her clothing interferes with the catcher's attempt to throw out a base runner on a pickoff or steal attempt.

EFFECT: If the runner is declared out as a result of the catcher's initial throw, the ball remains live, and there is no interference. If the runner is not out on the initial throw by the catcher, the ball is immediately dead and the base runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch even if the base runner is caught off base and an opportunity for an out via rundown exists.

No loose equipment, miscellaneous items, or detached parts of a player's uniform, other than that being legally used in the game at the time, should be within playable territory as it could cause a blocked ball. Official equipment that may be within playable territory with no effect includes the batter's bat, the catcher's mask or helmet, game official clothing/equipment, and any helmet that has inadvertently fallen off an offensive or defensive player during the course of play.

When a ball becomes lodged in a game official's or offensive player's attached equipment or clothing.

EFFECT: The ball is dead; the batter and each base runner are awarded the bases they would have reached had the ball not become lodged.

When a ball becomes lodged in a defensive player's attached equipment or clothing.

EFFECT: The ball is live until it is judged by the official to no longer be playable, at which time it is declared dead. The batter-runner and base runners are awarded the bases that would have been reached, in the official's judgment, had the ball not become lodged.

A fairly batted ball becomes blocked when:

1. When it contacts loose equipment belonging to the defense.
2. When it bounces over, wedges under, or passes through a fence or any designated boundary of the playing field; or lodges in the fence, in plants/greenery on the fence.
3. When it deflects off a defensive player and crosses into dead-ball territory (excluding a ball deflected over the home run fence in fair territory); or passes an infielder (excluding the pitcher), deflects off a base runner or official, and crosses into dead-ball territory, provided no other infielder has a chance to make a play.

EFFECT: The ball is dead. The batter is awarded second base. Each other base runner is awarded two bases from the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.

A live thrown ball becomes blocked when:

1. When it contacts loose defensive equipment not involved in the game, but on the playing field.
2. When it is thrown and crosses into dead-ball territory whether the ball rebounds onto playable territory or not.

EFFECT: The ball is declared blocked and dead. Each runner is awarded two bases from the last base legally touched when the ball left the fielder's hand. If two runners are between the same bases, the award is based on the position of the lead runner.

When it contacts loose offensive equipment not involved in the game, but on the playing field.

EFFECT: The ball is declared blocked and dead. If no play is obvious, no one is called out. Each runner must return to the last base legally contacted at the time the ball became blocked, unless forced to advance. If the blocked ball prevents the defense from making a play, interference is declared. The runner closest to home plate at the time of the blocked ball shall be declared out, and each other runner must return to the last base legally touched before the ball became blocked, unless forced to advance.

A pitch becomes blocked when it gets stuck in, goes under, over the backstop, lodges, wedges in a fence/barrier, or goes into dead-ball territory.

EFFECT: The ball is declared dead. Each base runner is awarded one base from the base occupied at the time of the pitch and the batter is awarded a ball. If the award results in ball 4 for the batter they shall be awarded first base.

Game/Team personnel are to remain in the dugout/team areas at all times. The only exceptions: one of the nine defensive players on the field, the batter, one on deck batter warming up, any base runners, and two base coaches on offense.

A fair batted or thrown ball becomes blocked at any point it contacts game/team personnel in unauthorized areas.

When a live thrown ball or fairly batted ball contacts personnel of the offensive team in an unauthorized area.

EFFECT: The ball is declared blocked and dead. If no apparent play is obvious, no one is called out. Each runner must return to the last base legally touched at the time the ball became blocked, unless forced to advance. If the blocked ball prevents the defense from making a play, interference is declared. The runner closest to home plate at the time of the blocked ball shall be declared out, and each other runner must return to the last base legally touched before the ball became blocked, unless forced to advance.

When a live thrown ball contacts a member of the defensive team in an unauthorized area.

EFFECT: The ball is declared blocked and dead. Each runner is awarded two bases from the last base legally touched when the ball left the fielder's hand. If two runners are between the same bases, the award is based on the position of the lead runner.

When a fairly batted ball contacts a member of the defensive team.

EFFECT: The ball is dead. The batter is awarded second base. Each other base runner is awarded two bases from the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.