Quote:
Originally Posted by hbk314
"Spectator interference occurs when a spectator reaches out of the stands and over the playing field, or goes on the playing field, and (1) touches a live ball or (2) touches a player and hinders an attempt to make a play on a live ball."
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True. But you must continue reading the rule book until you get to where the definition is put to use. That occurs at Rule 3.16. Read the commentary below it and you will see the following language "
or otherwise interfering with a player." The "or" comes right after the word "touching."
Certainly, MLB is not going to allow a spectator to run onto the field, causing an outfielder to run around the spectator, only to miss catching the ball by an inch.
MLB allows for common sense interpretation and rule enforcement, rather than pinpointing 100% black and white language in every situation, like so many other codes.