obstruction on third strike in the dirt?

[smashdad]

This weekend, we had a batter swing at a 3rd strike in the dirt. The ball bounced off the catcher to slightly down the first base line, not far from the plate. The catcher came out to get the ball as the runner was running down the base line. The runner ran into the catcher and could not get around her before the catcher was able to pick up the ball and tag her. Umpire called her out, no obstruction. My questions are 1) should this be obstruction or they both have a right to be there, so play on? 2) Where can this situation be found in the rule book

 

[Sparky Guy]

From your description it sounds like interference on the batter. ASA rule 8.2.F.6 deals with batter-runner interfere with a dropped 3rd strike. The batter-runner is out if they interfere with the catcher.

 

[smashdad]

Does that apply since the batter never touched the ball?

 

[PA SB Dad]

The catcher has the right to field the ball without interference from the batter-runner. The batter-runner does not have the right of way.

 

[Umpire]

This is neither interference nor obstruction. This is specifically handled in the R/S. Scramble/unscramble.

 

[Sparky Guy]

Does that apply since the batter never touched the ball?

Yes. If the batter touched the ball with the bat and it ended up on the ground it would be either a foul ball and dead, a fair ball and live or a foul tip. Most dropped 3rd strikes are on a swing and miss as in the OP.

 

[Crabby_Bob]

The catcher has the right to field the ball without interference from the batter-runner. The batter-runner does not have the right of way.

So, the catcher can put a pitched ball there and her fielding trumps the batter-runner's right to run the bases?

 

[PA SB Dad]

So, the catcher can put a pitched ball there and her fielding trumps the batter-runner's right to run the bases?

Not quite sure what you mean? Why would the catcher put a "pitched" ball anywhere? If she can catch it, it is to her advantage to catch it, not drop it in the BR's path just to get an interference call. As described, it is a live ball and the BR can advance to 1B and the catcher is allowed to make the play. If there are other runners on base, the BR is also not allowed to interfere with the catcher attempting to make a play at another base.

 

[tcannizzo]

Although the rules or supplements to do spell it out this way, the best way to think about it is that an uncaught third strike has the same "status" as a fair batted ball. This is the case where the fielder has the right of way, and INT is ruled; just as it would be on a runner between the other bases.

 

[Umpire]

Although the rules or supplements to do spell it out this way, the best way to think about it is that an uncaught third strike has the same "status" as a fair batted ball. This is the case where the fielder has the right of way, and INT is ruled; just as it would be on a runner between the other bases.

Wrong. I already addressed this above. This is not interference. This is not obstruction. This is what it is and that is nothing.