Controverisal Obstruction Call

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by SAump

After further review of the rulebook, I wanted to reopen a discussion from a previously locked thread found at the following link. Obstruction

The part I wanted to discuss was the OP.

I stumbled across a rule which may validate the umpire's judgement.
Note established ruling applies to runner on 3B, which is missing in OP. But the "technical" balk call awards the batter first base on fielder's interference. Perhaps, the umpire felt enough of a hindrance by F3 to call "interference" while R3 sat empty. I mean the batter has not squared around and the guy is already crowding the mound area.

1) Where does in front of a plate end?
2) Will this be enough to change your opinion of the umpire's call?
3) Would it apply to any and all MLB squeeze situations, or only where R3 is present?
4) Has this been discussed in other baseball literature such as the BRD, J/R, etc.?

Happy Mothers Day Weekend and Cheers!

Surely you can appreciate the difference between "preventing the batter from having the opportunity to hit a pitch" (obstrcution / interference -- award the batter first) and "charging toward the plate before a pitch is thrown" (nothing).