Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat that can be which of the following?

• A. Interference that can be either physical or verbal and interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play.
• B. Interference that creates malicious contact with any fielder regardless of whether the fielder had the ball or was in or out of the baseline.
• C. Interference when a coach physically assists a runner during playing action.
• D. Interference that is both A and B.

Answer: (D)

Offensive interference happens when the team at bat does something that interferes with a fielder attempting to make a play. This can be done through physical actions or through verbal or other distracting conduct that obstructs, impedes, or confuses the fielder. It also covers situations where an offensive player makes malicious contact with a fielder, even if the fielder doesn’t have the ball or isn’t in the baseline. Because interference can occur in either form, the best answer is the one that includes both aspects. The other options describe only one facet of interference, but offensive interference can involve both hindering actions and malicious contact.