Obstruction call in DD game

[wichita]

OK DD'S HS game on Friday runner on 2nd 1 out ball hit to left field side of pitcher ....she gets a lot of glove on it and ball ends up being a slow roller to short ....runner on 2nd breaks for 3rd and SS ends up colliding with runner.....ss falls in a heap as runner rounds 3rd and scores. No call was made on the play then all of a sudden opposing coach argues with home plate umpire that it was obstruction (which she went to the wrong umpire because it's not his call). So the 2 umpires conference and call the runner out because the ball touching the pitchers glove doesn't matter and SS was making a play on the ball after it hit the pitchers glove when runner ran into her so it is obstruction. Pretty sure this is not correct ...as soon as the ball was tipped obstruction was off the runner on second.

What do you umpires in dfpland think about the call?

 

[Comp]

You are asking about interference not obstruction. Offense interferes, the defense obstructs.

If this game was being played under nfhs rules, a batted ball deflected by the pitcher is still considered to be an initial play by other fielders and the runner must avoid interfering. Other rules sets understand the runner may not be able to instantly avoid a fielder when the ball gets deflectedand esquire the runner to then do something intentional before they can be guilty of interference. Unfortunately this is just one of those quirks with nfhs rules and it sounds like the umpires eventually ruled correctly.

 

[wichita]

You are asking about interference not obstruction. Offense interferes, the defense obstructs.

If this game was being played under nfhs rules, a batted ball deflected by the pitcher is still considered to be an initial play by other fielders and the runner must avoid interfering. Other rules sets understand the runner may not be able to instantly avoid a fielder when the ball gets deflectedand esquire the runner to then do something intentional before they can be guilty of interference. Unfortunately this is just one of those quirks with nfhs rules and it sounds like the umpires eventually ruled correctly.

Well until you explained the rule in my mind the defense obstructed with the runner ...that's why I put obstruction.....why can't everyone play by the same rules it would be so much easier....

 

[sftblldad7]

Here is what is suppose to happen. First the play does not stop till the end of the play. The base ump should have his one arm extended straight out to signal the interference. Interference is a judgment call by the umps, if they feel that the fielder could have made a reasonable play on the ball then it is interference. If they feel that no reasonable play could have been made then it is consider accidental contact.
In your play the homeplate ump should make that call as he has the lead runner, the base ump should be making the call at first.

 

[Comp]

Wrong. The left arm out is a delayed dead ball signal for illegal pitches and obstruction. Interference by an offensive player is always an immediate dead ball. On infield plays, the base umpire has all first calls in the infield including the lead runner to 3rd. And in some cases has both ends of the double play.

 

[damon s]

Offense interferes, the defense obstructs.
does this mean that catcher's interference is actually catcher's obstruction? serious question, not disputing just looking for clarification.
thank you

 

[Comp]

Yes, it is catchers obstruction in softball.

 

[PlayPerfect]

Comp..

NFHS 8-6-10 (NOTE) Regarding runner interfering with fielder....."Jumping, hurdling and leaping are all legal attempts to avoid a fielder only if the fielder is lying on the ground." Is this mentioned to differentiate that leaping or hurdling over a fielder who is in a very low fielding position, but not lying on the ground, is an illegal way to avoid that fielder?

Also...with a deep SS and R2 running hard to 3B, a ground ball towards short frequently passes under that runner, 6 to 8 feet from the attacking SS, and the runner leaps or jumps over that bouncing or ground ball on their way to 3B. Is that considered illegally impeding, hindering or intentionally confusing a fielder?

One final one...how much leeway does the batter have in the batter's box to legally and intentionally impede or disrupt catcher's throw to a base on a steal attempt? How tall can they stand? how wide can they be the bat? Can they intentionally move within the box to best disrupt the throw? Does the batter own every inch of the box? Thanks for your input.

 

[MTR]

Comp..

NFHS 8-6-10 (NOTE) Regarding runner interfering with fielder....."Jumping, hurdling and leaping are all legal attempts to avoid a fielder only if the fielder is lying on the ground." Is this mentioned to differentiate that leaping or hurdling over a fielder who is in a very low fielding position, but not lying on the ground, is an illegal way to avoid that fielder?

Yes, the fielder must be in a prone position on the ground

Also...with a deep SS and R2 running hard to 3B, a ground ball towards short frequently passes under that runner, 6 to 8 feet from the attacking SS, and the runner leaps or jumps over that bouncing or ground ball on their way to 3B. Is that considered illegally impeding, hindering or intentionally confusing a fielder?

Not if done so in the act of advancing. If the runner stops or slows down and in the umpire's judgment did so to time their passing the ball in an effort to distract or interfere with the fielder's attempt, yes that would be considered INT.

One final one...how much leeway does the batter have in the batter's box to legally and intentionally impede or disrupt catcher's throw to a base on a steal attempt? How tall can they stand? how wide can they be the bat? Can they intentionally move within the box to best disrupt the throw? Does the batter own every inch of the box? Thanks for your input.

The batter has no leeway in the BB. In or out of the box, if the batter moves in a manner to hinder the catcher, it is INT. That does not include the movement of the batter due to a swing and follow through. Purely umpire's judgment. And in case someone is wondering, the batter "trying to get out of the way" is not a defense against an INT call. If the batter did not swing, s/he should just stand still until the catcher releases the ball

 

[CJ D]

Maybe stupid follow up question on this...is there a reasonable time limit on the batter having to stand still? We had very similar situation this weekend. Long story, but opposing coach informed his catcher to hit our girls in the back every throw to third. Pitcher pitches, catcher stands up with ball, makes no move toward the bag to throw. Batter turns around after 1-2 seconds and no throw to look at coach, and catcher beans her right between the shoulder blades. PU calls batter out.