What is interference in baseball?
A · Advanced · Running the bases · 3 of 9Interference is an act that hinders a player trying to make a play. When the batting side does it, the ball is dead, the offender is out and the other runners go back. A fielder has the right of way to field a batted ball. Spectators, coaches and umpires can interfere too, each with its own remedy.
How it works
- Offensive interference: an act by the batting team that interferes with, impedes, hinders or confuses a fielder attempting to make a play.
- Right of way: a runner must avoid a fielder who is fielding a batted ball. Contact is interference whether intended or not.
- The penalty: "The runner is out and the ball is dead." Other runners return.
- To break up a double play: if a runner does it on purpose, both the runner and the batter-runner are out.
- The batter and the catcher: a batter who hinders the catcher's throw by stepping out of the box is out, unless the throw gets the runner anyway.
- Hit by a batted ball: a runner touched by a fair ball before it passes an infielder is out, and the batter gets first base.
- Catcher's interference: the catcher hinders the swing. The batter gets first base, or the manager may take the result of the play.
- Spectators: the ball is dead and the umpire puts things as they would have been. If a fan plainly prevents a catch, the batter is out.
- Reaching into the stands: a fielder who reaches over the fence does so at their own risk.
- Umpires: a fair ball that hits an umpire before passing an infielder is dead, and the batter gets first base.
- Base coaches: a thrown ball that accidentally hits a base coach stays in play.
The glossary has the interference entry, the base runner, the batter-runner, the catcher, the dead ball and the double play.
Tricky cases
A runner going from second to third bumps the shortstop, who is bending for a ground ball. It was an accident. Out?
Yes. A runner who hinders a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball is out whether it was intentional or not.
A fan reaches over the wall onto the field side and knocks the ball away from an outfielder about to catch it. What is the call?
The batter is out for spectator interference, and the umpire places the runners where they would have been.
An outfielder reaches into the stands for a foul ball and a fan gets in the way. Interference?
No. A fielder who reaches into the stands does so at their own risk.
The catcher's glove touches the bat during a swing, and the batter still hits a fly ball that scores a runner from third. What can the manager do?
Choose: take the play, with the run scoring and the batter out, or take the interference, with the batter on first and the runner back on third.
Why the rule exists
Batted balls must be fielded where they go, which is often where a runner is going too. Someone has to give way, and the rule picks the runner. The double out for deliberate interference removes any gain from sacrificing one runner to save two.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| By a runner or batter | Offender out, ball dead, runners return | WBSC Baseball Rule 12.1 penalty |
| Deliberate, to break up a double play | Two outs | WBSC Baseball Rule 12.1.6; 12.1.7 |
| By the catcher | Batter awarded first base | WBSC Baseball Rule 9.9 |
| By a spectator | Umpire nullifies the act | WBSC Baseball Rule 12.4 |
| Unintentional, by a ball attendant or other authorised person | Ball stays alive | WBSC Baseball Rule 12.3 |
From the rule book
World Baseball Softball Confederation, Official Rules of Baseball (2025-2026 edition), Rules 6.48, 8.2, 9.7, 9.9 and 12.1 to 12.5. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: WBSC Official Rules of Baseball 2025-2026 (PDF).