Rule 3.16

Rule 3.16
When there is spectator interference with any thrown or batted ball, the ball shall be dead at the moment of interference and the umpire shall impose such penalties as in his opinion will nullify the act of interference.

APPROVED RULING: If spectator interference clearly prevents a fielder from catching a fly ball, the umpire shall declare the batter out.

Rule 3.16 Comment: There is a difference between a ball which has been thrown or batted into the stands, touching a spectator thereby being out of play even though it rebounds onto the field and a spectator going onto the field or reaching over, under or through a barrier and touching a ball in play or touching or otherwise interfering with a player. In the latter case it is clearly intentional and shall be dealt with as intentional interference as in Rule 3.15. Batter and runners shall be placed where in the umpire’s judgment they would have been had the interference not occurred.

No interference shall be allowed when a fielder reaches over a fence, railing, rope or into a stand to catch a ball. He does so at his own risk. However, should a spectator reach out on the playing field side of such fence, railing or rope, and plainly prevent the fielder from catching the ball, then the batsman should be called out for the spectator’s interference.

Example: Runner on third base, one out and a batter hits a fly ball deep to the outfield (fair or foul). Spectator clearly interferes with the outfielder attempting to catch the fly ball. Umpire calls the batter out for spectator interference. Ball is dead at the time of the call. Umpire decides that because of the distance the ball was hit, the runner on third base would have scored after the catch if the fielder had caught the ball which was interfered with, therefore, the runner is permitted to score. This might not be the case if such fly ball was interfered with a short distance from home plate.


DISCUSSION
The spectator interference rule [Rule 3.16] specifies thrown or batted balls, but the same principles apply to a pitched ball. [MLBUM]

Spectator touches a live ball over live ball territory
Runner on first. Fair ball hit down the right field line and spectator reaches over and interferes by touching the live ball. The umpire’s judgment is that the runner from first should be awarded third base only.


Foul ball near stands. Spectator hinders catcher’s attempt to field the ball over live ball territory.

Runner on second base. Foul ball near stands. Spectator reaches over and interferes with left fielder's attempt to make a catch. Issue is whether ball was catchable. Umpire rules that the ball was catchable and that the fan interfered.



It is not spectator interference when a spectator touches a ball over dead ball territory. [J/R]
Spectator makes a catch over dead ball territory


It is not spectator interference when a spectator touches a ball over live ball territory that has no chance of becoming fair [J/R]
Spectator makes a catch on a ball that has no chance of becoming fair

It is not spectator interference when a spectator hinders a fielder over dead ball territory. A player who reaches into the stands to make a catch does so at his own risk and interference is not applicable.
Spectator hinders a fielder who reaches into stands. No interference.

Spectator hinders a fielder who reaches into stands. No interference.