- Jan 31, 2011
- 453
- 43
I coach 14U,so thinking back to 10U took me a few minutes to digest the difference. Yes, at 10U, you never instruct a catcher to drill a runner in the back. Also, at 10U, you don't instruct your runner to plow over a daydreaming ss that's covering 2nd base (obstruction) for no reason.
However, at 14U, if a batter bunts down 1st base line (usually a speed demon) and runs in fair territory & the catcher's throw is interfered, she gets it in the back. No question about it. Just like at 14U when same catcher blocks the plate early(obstruction) she get plowed into pretty hard. Its part of the game. But at what point do you discuss the rough situations? I have never taught it, they just learned by playing games and seeing the +/- results.
Umpires can help by being consistent. My DD is a catcher and she blocks the plate. I have talked to her about positioning herself in front of the plate and sweeping the tag, but she resorts back to blocking. She has never been called for obstruction & it would help me if she did. She has obstructed many times in my opinion, but gets away with it. I'm afraid of injury. (just a side bar comment)
However, at 14U, if a batter bunts down 1st base line (usually a speed demon) and runs in fair territory & the catcher's throw is interfered, she gets it in the back. No question about it. Just like at 14U when same catcher blocks the plate early(obstruction) she get plowed into pretty hard. Its part of the game. But at what point do you discuss the rough situations? I have never taught it, they just learned by playing games and seeing the +/- results.
Umpires can help by being consistent. My DD is a catcher and she blocks the plate. I have talked to her about positioning herself in front of the plate and sweeping the tag, but she resorts back to blocking. She has never been called for obstruction & it would help me if she did. She has obstructed many times in my opinion, but gets away with it. I'm afraid of injury. (just a side bar comment)
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