Game Situation: Base Coach Interference

 
1. With no outs and no runners on base, the batter hits a high foul pop-up near the first base coach's box. The first base coach does not attempt to get out of the way of the first baseman. Although the first baseman never contacted the first base coach, the first baseman had to maneuver around the base coach and then came close to (but did not catch) the pop foul ball. The defensive team wants coach's interference. The first base coach claims that he was only acting as a batter would while a teammate steals third base (in other words, he stood perfectly still as he says he had a right to do). What is the umpire action?

2. Does the call change if the first base coach made on honest and overt attempt to avoid the first baseman, but the first base coach unintentionally still got in the way and prevented the first baseman from catching the pop foul ball?

Call
If, in the umpire's judgment, the base coach hindered the fielder's attempt to catch
the foul pop up -- then the batter is out. There does not have to be contact between the fielder and coach (although it would help sell the call if there was contact). The interference can be unintentional (as in question #2), but the batter is out in both these situation for coach's interference (See NF 7-4-1f and casebook 7.4.1H).