Blocked Ball in Baseball: Rules & Outcomes Explained

Question
Runner on 2nd, past ball that bounces towards the on-deck batter.  On deck batter kicks the ball.  Is the call a dead ball and runner closest to home is out?

What if the ball hits the on deck batter (not kicked) is the result the same?

Answer
HI Tom,

It is a blocked ball, dead ball all runners return to the last base touched unless in the umpire's judgment it prevented the defense from making a out, in which case the runner being played on would be called out. Interference

This would also be a judgment call as to whether we have interference (did it prevent the defense from making a play) or not. What did the ODB do and what was the result play into it.  We could have interference, blocked ball or nothing depending...

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