Catcher Obstruction

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Aug 30, 2015
286
28
LL Rule 2.0 Definitions
OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. A fake tag is considered obstruction. (NOTE Obstruction shall be called on a defensive player who blocks off a base, base line or home plate from a base runner while not in possession of the ball.

ASA Rules Supplement 36-Obstruction
In past years, coaches taught their player to block the base, catch the ball and make the tag. Now defensive players must catch the ball, block the base and then make the tag.

USSSA Clarification & Interpretation Topics Version 7

If a defensive player is blocking the base or base path without the ball, this is impeding the progress of the runner and is obstruction. After the fielder has the ball, she can block the base and make the tag. It is obstruction if the player blocks the base, catches the ball, and makes the tag.

Just wanted to clarify that the great play made by that catcher in the other current thread would clearly be obstruction under some rules sets. Obviously LL wouldn't apply but is very realistic to be playing ASA or USSSA ball.
 
Last edited:
Dec 19, 2012
1,428
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Just wanted to clarify that the great play made by that catcher in the other current thread would clearly be obstruction under some rules sets. Obviously LL wouldn't apply but is very realistic to be playing ASA or USSSA ball.

It would not be obstruction. The rule clearly defines obstruction as a defensive player impeding the progress of any runner without the ball. That means the runner needs the ability to reach the base before the ball does while the defensive player is blocking the base, denying access. This did not happen. The ball beat the runner to the base.
 
Aug 30, 2015
286
28
It would not be obstruction.

Not according to USSSA. That language makes it even more clear. They're saying if the defense is set up in the base path without the ball, this impedes the runner, period.

We don't train our fielders to plant themselves in front of the base for a tag play, right? Don't we ask them to straddle the bag, or play offset from the bag depending on the angle, or some other version of a set up rather than right in front of the base?

Why is the catcher any different? Because she has pads?

The obstruction rule doesn't make any distinction between 1st, 2nd and 3rd bases from home plate. It's all bases.
 
Apr 16, 2010
924
43
Alabama
LL Rule 2.0 Definitions
OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. A fake tag is considered obstruction. (NOTE Obstruction shall be called on a defensive player who blocks off a base, base line or home plate from a base runner while not in possession of the ball.

ASA Rules Supplement 36-Obstruction
In past years, coaches taught their player to block the base, catch the ball and make the tag. Now defensive players must catch the ball, block the base and then make the tag.

USSSA Clarification & Interpretation Topics Version 7

If a defensive player is blocking the base or base path without the ball, this is impeding the progress of the runner and is obstruction. After the fielder has the ball, she can block the base and make the tag. It is obstruction if the player blocks the base, catches the ball, and makes the tag.

Just wanted to clarify that the great play made by that catcher in the other current thread would clearly be obstruction under some rules sets. Obviously LL wouldn't apply but is very realistic to be playing ASA or USSSA ball.

It would not clearly be obstruction as the runner was not impeded in any way. The runner never had to slow up or anything coming into the plate. Had the runner been forced to slide into the catcher without the ball i would agree it is obstruction. in this case the ball beat the runner to the plate and the runners actions would have been the same regardless of where the catcher set up.
 
Dec 19, 2012
1,428
0
From USSSA 2015 Fast Pitch Rule Book:

OBSTRUCTION. Obstruction is the act of a defensive team member which hinders a
runner or changes the pattern of play or when a catcher or fielder hinders a batter unless
the fielder is in possession of the ball or making an initial play on a batted ball. The act
may be intentional or unintentional, physical or verbal.

A. It is catcher obstruction when a catcher hinders or prevents a batter from
swinging at a pitch.

B. A fake tag is an act by a defensive player that simulates an attempt to tag
a runner. Faking a tag is considered obstruction.


Again, what Maddie did was not obstruction, even under USSSA rules. Maddie did not hinder and did not change the pattern of the play.
 
Aug 21, 2011
1,345
38
38°41'44"N 121°9'47.5"W
From USSSA 2015 Fast Pitch Rule Book:

OBSTRUCTION. Obstruction is the act of a defensive team member which hinders a
runner or changes the pattern of play or when a catcher or fielder hinders a batter unless
the fielder is in possession of the ball or making an initial play on a batted ball. The act
may be intentional or unintentional, physical or verbal.

A. It is catcher obstruction when a catcher hinders or prevents a batter from
swinging at a pitch.

B. A fake tag is an act by a defensive player that simulates an attempt to tag
a runner. Faking a tag is considered obstruction.


Again, what Maddie did was not obstruction, even under USSSA rules. Maddie did not hinder and did not change the pattern of the play.

According to the rules clarification, it is indeed obstruction.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
Not according to USSSA. That language makes it even more clear. They're saying if the defense is set up in the base path without the ball, this impedes the runner, period.
The play made by Maddie is not OBS under any of the rules you quoted. Standing in the path of the runner is not OBS until the runner's progress is actually affected.

This post by one of our resident Umpires makes it pretty clear...
There are two parts to an Obstruction call and both have to happen in order to have Obstruction.

Fielder does not have the ball
Runner is hindered or impeded by said fielder

If the runner is not hindered or impeded, there is no obstruction.

Since we're still discussing the same play from the other thread, here's a link to the video for those who don't want to go hunting...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSxaZtUCPTQ
 
Last edited:
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
According to the rules clarification, it is indeed obstruction.

Where in the video do you see the progress of the runner being affected by Maddie's position prior to having possession of the ball?
 
Last edited:
Dec 19, 2012
1,428
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USSSA Clarification & Interpretation Topics Version 7[/B]
If a defensive player is blocking the base or base path without the ball, this is impeding the progress of the runner and is obstruction. After the fielder has the ball, she can block the base and make the tag. It is obstruction if the player blocks the base, catches the ball, and makes the tag.

To further the USSSA Clarification and Interpretation verbage:

Maddie was in an "Obstructive State", but it became non-obstructive when the ball beat the runner, therefore not impeding the progress of the runner. If the runner made contact with Maddie before Maddie had the ball, it would be obstruction. Maddie simply caught the ball, then made the tag.
 

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