[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by greymule

I don't see how OBR considers OBS to be a form of INT.

OBR does recognize "defensive interference" when a fielder (virtually always F2) prevents a batter from hitting a batted ball. Some codes call it OBS when the bat hits F2's mitt.

The definition of OBS does not use the terms interfere or interference, nor does the definition of INT mention OBS.

Okay, fine, one more little ball post to satisfy those who read what they want instead of what is posted.

And I don't see where I stated that it was a fact of life, but a manner in which I remember it when having a baseball discussion. However, to the point where it can be confusing:

From MLB rules:

2.00

INTERFERENCE
(a) Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with,
obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play.
If the umpire declares the batter, batter-runner, or a runner out for interference,
all other runners shall return to the last base that was in the judgment of the
umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference, unless otherwise
provided by these rules.

(b) Defensive interference is an act by a fielder which hinders or prevents a batter

from hitting a pitch. (No such animal in softball, we call it obstruction.)

7.07 If, with a runner on third base and trying to score by means of a squeeze play or a steal, the catcher or any other fielder steps on, or in front of home base without possession of the ball, or touches the batter or his bat, the pitcher shall be charged with a balk, the batter shall be awarded first base on the interference and the ball is dead. (Again, what we call obstruction)

And, in MLB, when there is a play being made on an obstructed runner, it is the same signal (dead ball) as we have in INT. In softball, it is a DDB until that runner is put out, play is complete or the runner has passed their area of protection.

I deal with a lot of baseball umpires and when THEY mention INT of the defense, I know how to interpret that as meaning OBS by thinking of OBS as a form of INT in their world.