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It is my understanding that the definition of offensive interence is as follows:
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.
I have read literature that the base path belongs to the runner and cannot be called for interference (unless intentional), except when a fielder is in the path attempting to field a batted ball or when a fielder is in the path and in possession of the ball. Where does it state that in the rules? In addition, it is my understanding that it is not interference when the short-stop that is not in the base path (let us say he is playing deep close to the outfield) attempts to field the ball but he cannot make a play (fumbles the ball) on the ball because his vision is obstructed by R-2 running in the base path in front of the short-stop. R-2 running to third does not break his stride or make any other movements out of the ordinary.
Is my understanding correct? How about if the runner jumps over the ball?
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mk
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