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I was PU for my son's 14 yr old All star team exhibition game. A runner from my team was advancing home, catcher lines up in the base path 2-3 steps in front of the plate. Runner stops dead in his tracks instead of trying to go around (or through) the catcher. The catcher catches the throw an instant after he stops and tags him out. The runner gripes about interference. My son's coach announces to the team after the game that I blew the call. (My son ratted him out to me). Next day, I show him the definition of obstruction and the note about fielders attempting to catch a thrown ball.
After taking the blame for "blowing" the obstruction call, I talked with other umpires I know (we do 10-16 yr old Little League), I ask if they have seen anyone other than me ever call obstruction. No, never. I very rarely see interference called either.
I like the general rule, unless someone is doing something they aren't supposed to be doing, then no call. As far as intent goes, you judge it by action. (My OBR book has a note under 3.15 on this point) If the action is intentional, it doesn't matter if the result was intentional.
Third baseman playing back, line shot foul, coach snags ball as F5 dives heroically for the ball. Even though coach wasn't intentionally preventing F5 from catching the ball he intentionally touched the ball and thus interfered. Same play, as coach ducks or falls, ball accidentally touches his arm. As long as he tried his best to get out of the way, I don't see interference.
I think the word intentional confuses things. I think if they wrote the rules around the word "accidental" it would be a lot clearer.
I think also, that there should be more focus on what players/coaches are supposed to do, so that when they do something wrong. For example, batter should stay stationary in the box on a steal, coaches must move to avoid interfering with a fielder, on-deck batters must stay clear of any plays at the plate. Then when someone gets in the way when they aren't doing what they are supposed to be doing, it's clear that it is interference.
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