Law 12: Interference, Obstruction and Collisions

The batter-runner is out, the ball is dead, and other runners return to their bases at the time of the pitch.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.1.1 · applied

Intentionally deflecting the course of a foul ball in any manner is interference.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.1.2 · applied

Before two are out, with a runner on third, batter interference with a play at home puts the runner out.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.1.3 · applied

Members of the team at bat who gather round a base to hinder the play cause the runner to be out.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.1.4 · applied

A runner's deliberate interference to break up a double play makes the ball dead; he and the batter-runner are out.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.1.6 · applied

The batter-runner is out, and so is the runner who had advanced closest to home, whatever the double play might have been.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.1.7 · recall

A base coach who touches or holds a runner to physically help him leave or return to a base causes interference.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.1.8 · applied

Interference on an uncaught third strike: batter-runner out, dead ball, runners back where they were at the pitch.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.1.1 · recall

The batting team must give fielders room; hindering a catch makes the ball dead, the batter out and the runners return.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.2 · recall

Blocking the catcher from his own dropped third strike costs the batter his chance to run: he is out.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.1.1 · applied

Players, coaches and any member of the team at bat must vacate any space a fielder needs, dugouts and bullpens included.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.2 · recall

With two fielders going for a ball, the umpire decides which is protected; contact with the other one is not interference.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.1.10 · applied

A ball that goes through or by an infielder and touches a runner immediately behind him does not make that runner out.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.1.11 · applied

Any runner who has just scored and hinders a following play on a runner causes that runner to be out.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.1.5 · applied

A runner who intentionally interferes with a thrown ball is out.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.1.10 · applied

Everything goes back to how it stood at the pitch: dead ball, batter out.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.2 · applied

The team at bat must vacate any space a fielder needs to field the ball, and that includes its own dugout.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.2 · applied

The umpire picks the fielder entitled to the protection; only contact with him can be interference.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.1.10 · recall

An uncaught pitch that stays near the plate and is inadvertently deflected by the batter or umpire is dead; runners return to their bases.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.1.1 · applied

A member of the batting team, other than a runner, who hinders a fielder's catch makes the ball dead and the batter out.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.2 · applied

Unintentional interference by a person authorised to be on the field leaves the ball alive and in play.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.3 · applied

Spectator interference makes the ball dead at once, and the umpire imposes penalties to nullify the act.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.4 · applied

Umpire interference with the catcher's throw makes the ball dead and runners may not advance.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.5 · applied

The ball is dead; the batter-runner is awarded first and other runners advance only if forced.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.5 · applied

Catcher interference on a squeeze or steal of home: the pitcher is charged with a balk, the batter gets first and the ball is dead.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.6 · applied

Deliberate acts kill the ball on the spot, so nothing that follows counts.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.3 · recall

Reaching out of the stands and over the playing field to touch a ball in play is spectator interference.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.4 · applied

Three things happen together: a balk is charged, the play stops, and the batter goes to first.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.6 · recall

If spectator interference clearly prevents a catch, the umpire declares the batter out.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.4 · applied

The catch would have been made, so the umpire gives the defence its out.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.4 · applied

Obstruction is the act of a fielder who, not holding the ball and not fielding it, impedes the progress of a runner.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.7 · recall

If the ball is in flight directly towards him and close enough that he must hold his position, he may be in the act of fielding.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.7 · recall

When a play is being made on the obstructed runner, the ball is dead and runners go to the bases they would have reached.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.7.2 · applied

For this type of obstruction the umpire points and calls it, lets the play continue, then awards bases if needed.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.7 · recall

Under the WBSC rules a runner cannot be visually obstructed by a fielder.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.7.8 · applied

The obstructed runner is awarded at least one base beyond the base he last touched legally.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.8.2 · applied

Holding or pushing a runner after a missed or wild throw gets past the fielder is obstruction.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.7.5 · applied

Obstruction of the batter-runner before first, or of a runner being played on, kills the ball, and bases are awarded.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.7.1 · recall

The rule sets a floor of one base, and the umpire may give more.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.8.2 · applied

A batter-runner obstructed after rounding first on a hit to the outfield is a classic case of obstruction.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.7.4 · applied

The rule targets unnecessary and violent collisions, mainly with the catcher at home and with infielders at the bases.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.8 · recall

Contact above the waist is judged as an attempt to dislodge the ball from the fielder.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.8.1.2 · recall

If the runner attempted to dislodge the ball, he is out even if the fielder loses it; the ball is dead and runners return.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.8.1.3 · applied

If the fielder blocks the path, the runner may make contact as long as he is making a legitimate attempt to reach the plate.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.8.1.3 · applied

If the runner is safe and the collision is malicious, he is ruled safe and ejected from the game.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.8.1.5 · applied

Obstruction is called, but a flagrant collision gets the runner ejected; he is declared safe and the ball is dead.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.8.2.1 · applied

A preceding runner who touched the plate before the contact is safe; the ball is dead and other runners return.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.8.1.4 · applied

An attempt to dislodge the ball is out even if the ball comes loose; the ball is dead and others return.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.8.1.3 · recall

The umpire judges avoidability, then the runner's aim (contact above the waist counts as going for the ball), then malice.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.8.1 · recall

Contact above the waist is taken as an attempt to dislodge the ball, and that runner is out even if the ball comes loose.

Source: WBSC ORB 2025-2026, Rule 12.8.1.2 · applied