Cubs/Cards Interference??

[IHSAref]

I am a basketball guy so I will claim no knowledge of OBR rules. On the Play Dempester bunted the ball right in front of home plate. The cardinals catcher jumps in front of Dempster causing Dempster to stop running. Would this be interference on Molina? Had he not pushed Dempster out of the way then he would have made it past Molina and avoiding the tag. Just a question. Sorry if it is a very obvious one.

Thanks!

IHSAref

[umpjong]

Nope thats the free for all zone (the area in front of the plate) on this type of play.....

[IHSAref]

Thanks a lot!

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by IHSAref

I am a basketball guy so I will claim no knowledge of OBR rules. On the Play Dempester bunted the ball right in front of home plate. The cardinals catcher jumps in front of Dempster causing Dempster to stop running. Would this be interference on Molina? Had he not pushed Dempster out of the way then he would have made it past Molina and avoiding the tag. Just a question. Sorry if it is a very obvious one.

Thanks!

IHSAref

It's not quite a 'free-for-all zone', since an umpire who judged that one player had intentionally hindered the other player would rule interference or obstruction. For example, if one player grabs the other and holds him, that would be interference (if by the batter-runner) or obstruction (if by the catcher).

Without intentional action to hinder the other player, however, all rule codes permit contact in this situation. That's probably what you saw.