Which of the following are acts of offensive interference?

• A. A runner yelling at a shortstop causing him to drop a fly ball.
• B. A runner maliciously contacting a fielder without the ball.
• C. A coach who physically assists a runner during playing action.
• D. A & B.

Answer: (D)

Offensive interference covers actions by the offense that hinder a fielder in making a play on the ball. If a runner’s actions distract or hinder a fielder while the defense is trying to complete a play, that’s interference.

Yelling at the shortstop to disrupt a catch is interference because the runner’s behavior directly affects the fielder’s ability to make the play. Similarly, a runner deliberately making contact with a fielder without the ball disrupts the defense and is also interference by the offense.

A coach physically assisting a runner during playing action isn’t classified as offensive interference by the offense, though it can be handled under other rules for unsportsmanlike conduct or team interference. Therefore, the first two situations fit the rule, while the coach’s action does not.