Verbal Interference

[greymule]

Anybody just see A-Rod just commit (nonexistent) verbal interference in the Yankees–Blue Jays game? Almost started a fight.

[ozzy6900]

First off, this is "big boy ball" not HS or LL. If "" said something to the defense (and they were dumb enough to pay attention), too bad! If "" were to come to bat again, he'd get one in his ear! It's bush-league but it's still tough ka-ka!

But in FED, this is a no-no and I believe in "small ball " too!

[tibear]

Technically this is not allowed in any game, including MLB.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by tibear

Technically this is not allowed in any game, including MLB.

OBR reference please?

[tibear]

Depends on your interpretation of "interfere or hinder".

I've never called verbal interference but have seen others call it. One I can think of a first baseman catching a fly ball in foul territory about two feet off first base. R1 screamed just as F3 was about to make the catch and as a result dropped the ball. The umpire called the batter out.

Not sure if the umpire even made the right out call in this situation but that was the call that was made.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by tibear

Depends on your interpretation of "interfere or hinder".

I've never called verbal interference but have seen others call it. One I can think of a first baseman catching a fly ball in foul territory about two feet off first base. R1 screamed just as F3 was about to make the catch and as a result dropped the ball. The umpire called the batter out.

Not sure if the umpire even made the right out call in this situation but that was the call that was made.

It does indeed depend on the interpretation, which is why it's important to learn the correct one.

As for screaming at a fielder, I think my ruling would depend more on the level of ball than on the interpretation of 'interference'.

[Jerry]

I have no idea what A-Rod said or did, but in all rules (FED, NCAA and OBR) there's no distinction or seperate definition of "verbal" interference. OBR 2.00 defines offensive interference as " an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play." Obviously, an "act" can be verbal or non-verbal.

Jerry

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Jerry

I have no idea what A-Rod said or did, but in all rules (FED, NCAA and OBR) there's no distinction or seperate definition of "verbal" interference. OBR 2.00 defines offensive interference as " an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play." Obviously, an "act" can be verbal or non-verbal.

Jerry

FED explicitly includes verbal obstruction (2-22-1) as a distinct component of the definition of obstruction.

OBR does not mention verbal obstruction, and standard pro interps (J/R, MLBUM, etc.) reject verbal obstruction in most cases.