Baseball · MLB / Rule 06

Interference and obstruction

MLB · 2025

Last checked: 14 October 2026
Source: MLB Official Baseball Rules 2025 · Source pages: 79–87

In short

Distinguishing an offense hindering a play from a defense blocking a runner.

On this page

Interference

Offensive interference hinders a fielder’s protected opportunity to play the ball. Intent is required in some situations but not all. The usual result is an out and dead ball, with runners returned as specified; deliberate prevention of a double play can retire another runner too. Catcher interference instead protects the batter, with an option for the offense to accept the resulting play.

Obstruction

A fielder without the ball and not fielding it must not impede a runner. If a play is being made on the obstructed runner, the ball is dead and protective awards follow. Otherwise play continues until the action ends, then the umpire awards bases needed to remove the disadvantage. A runner advancing beyond protected bases may still be put out.

Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Based on the supplied MLB Official Baseball Rules 2025. Separate operational regulations and later amendments are not inferred. References use physical PDF pages. Explanations are condensed; the supplied edition and its stated competition conditions determine scope.
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