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Rule 2.00 INTERFERENCE (a) Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. I think that tossing another ball to the catcher qualifies as 'confuses any fielder.' You do notice the last part: "attempting to make a play". If there is no play to be made, how can the defense be attempting one? If the ball is at the backstop and R1 is over halfway to 2B, where is there a play at? And, all of your "what if's" won't happen using the same logic. If there is a possible play, someone is out. If not, no one is out but a warning is given. So, if the batter wants to stand on the ball, he runs the risk of being ejected if it happens again. You contradict yourself: "If there is a possible play..." When the ball is bouncing around free with runners on base, there is always the possibility of a play, AS LONG AS THE FIELDER'S ATTEMPT IS NOT OBSTRUCTED, IMPEDED, HINDERED, OR THE FIELDER IS NOT CONFUSED BY AN OFFENSIVE ACTION. How can you not call obstruction if an offensive player is holding the damn ball?! Does this not obstruct the fielder from the ball? Does this not impede the fielder as he tries to retrieve the ball? Does this not hinder the fielder in making access to the ball more difficult? obstruct - verb (used with object) 1. to block or close up with an obstacle; make difficult to pass; 2. to interrupt, hinder, or oppose the passage, progress, course, etc., of; 3. to block from sight; to be in the way of (a view, passage, etc.). impede - verb (used with object) to retard in movement or progress by means of obstacles or hindrances; obstruct; hinder. hinder – verb (used with object) 1. to cause delay, interruption, or difficulty in; hamper; impede; 2. to prevent from doing, acting, or happening; stop; –verb (used without object) 3. to be an obstacle or impediment.