12U Fast Pitch Obstruction by the Batter

Question
Dr. Ambrose,

When is the batter guilty of obstruction on a passed ball?  What are the batter's responsibilities to get out of the way?

Situation:

Runner on 3rd.  Pitcher pitches passed ball.  Batter has one foot inside batters box and one foot out.  Shes is directly between the catcher fielding the passed ball and trying to throw the ball to the pitcher covering home.  It was a close play. The ball does not hit the batter and there is no contact by the catcher or the pitcher with the batter.  Her standing between the catcher and home plate makes the catcher try to throw around her.

The umpire ruling was that since there was no contact, there is no interference.  He suggested that next time the defenders run into the batter or hit her with the ball; then it would be interference.  Does there have to be contact for interference?

Thanks,

Ron

Answer
Hi Ron,
I must base my answer on exactly what you described, 'she is directly between...covering home.  "her standing between...around her.

By rule the batter "shall not interfere with a play at home plate." We have interference, a dead ball, the batter is out and all runner's return to their bases at the time of the interference.  The batter's box is not a sanctuary for the batter when a play is being made at the plate.  It is interference without her being hit by the ball or being run into.  Just as a runner going from 1st-2nd on a ground ball DP would be guilty of interference if after being forced out stood straight up, raised his hands and tried to alter the throw to 1st.  You don't need to smack him in the face with the ball to get interference (thank goodness)

There's does not have to be contact for interference! There are many examples of interference where there is no contact such as the dp one above.  BTW Interference also doesn't have to be intentional.

Let me know if you need any more.

Mark
ps offense interferes, defense obstructs