Michigan vs. Washington- obstruction

[Crabby_Bob]

Wasn't this rule change prompted by a collision at the plate in a UCLA game 3-4 years ago that left catcher and runner bloody?

These plays happened in the 2017 Women's College World Series.
New rules about blocking the whole base/plate or basepath without the ball, 9.5, and Collisions, 12.13, was put into the 2018/19 rule book.

 

[STRIKE3]

Had forgotten about the Fernandez ejection on that one. TAMU crushed that play in my opinion. Never could figure out what she was so upset about as it was an amazining defensive play(s).

Of course, I might be missing something so please let me know if I am.

S3

 

[Westwind]

Step one: Eject Lisa Fernandez.

Step two: Get the hell out of there before she kicks your rear.

 

[STRIKE3]

Step one: Eject Lisa Fernandez.

Step two: Get the hell out of there before she kicks your rear.

Agree on both points!!!! About fell out of my chair on that one @Westwind

S3

 

[Big Daddy Michigan]

Based on the rule the way it is currently written, the correct call was made. However, based on this view, I believe it is possible for the runner to get by the catcher without making contact. The actual contact was created by the runner, not the catcher in this example. When I watched the play live, it reminded me of my own baseball days. It was not uncommon for runners to cause contact, and that is what I see here.

You're spot on here. It seems like everyone is commenting on what happens at the time of the collision. If you watch it from the start of the turn at 3rd base the runner makes a wide turn. The poor throw pulls the catcher into an area that we would expect a runner to be, but it actually isn't. The only change the runner makes is to veer back toward the catcher. If the runner stays on the path she originally created she avoids the contact and likely the tag. There is only obstruction because the runner altered her path toward the fielder.

All that said this play has no bearing on the game. Michigan didn't score so 1-0 or 2-0 with way they lose.

 

[Big Daddy Michigan]

In the 3rd picture the catcher is in possession of the ball.

 

[texasck1]

IF the runner stays on the path she originally created she avoids the contact and likely the tag.

IF the throw had been on target, then the obstruction would never had been an issue. Ball would have beat runner by 2 steps.

 

[erniekru]

Lisa Fernandez got ejected because BOTH those plays were OBS. Paige Haalsteads was a WAY clearer example, but the TAMU one was too, just really hard to pick up in real time.



The TAMU catcher sets up to the furthest extent of the line.. During the throw you can see she maintains her right foot in the same position during the entire flight of the ball (see yellow dot on RC field next to 2B), undoubtedly the umpire was looking at that planted foot to see if the OBS was in play. But you can see how she shifted from RIGHT ON the line to left foot in foul territory, essentially blocking the entire base path without the ball.

Clearly there was OBS calls in 2017, UCLA pulled one from LSU. I can see how Coach Fernandez was pissed, she probably thought OBS and wasn't given the call.

 

[radness]

Everyone likes to talk warmly about the "good ole' days", but the collisions are dangerous and kids can get hurt.

When I was 10, a friend of mine was permanently crippled by another friend of mine in Little League on a play at the plate. Neither kid ever played baseball again, and both suffered for years.

If the rules prevent one kid from being seriously injured, it is good thing.

Just to be clear~
I was commenting on the ruleset being different.
Not collisions being better.

Obstruction has always existed, and this particular play was always obstruction.



I actually don't think safety is the issue here. A defensive player who didn't have the ball jumped into the runner's path. That is an should be against the rules because a defender should not be allowed to prevent a runner from running.

Because this post commenting the ruleset was always around.
Simply pointing out how the now applied ruleset changed the game.

 

[radness]

Lisa Fernandez got ejected because BOTH those plays were OBS. Paige Haalsteads was a WAY clearer example, but the TAMU one was too, just really hard to pick up in real time.

View attachment 22259

The TAMU catcher sets up to the furthest extent of the line.. During the throw you can see she maintains her right foot in the same position during the entire flight of the ball (see yellow dot on RC field next to 2B), undoubtedly the umpire was looking at that planted foot to see if the OBS was in play. But you can see how she shifted from RIGHT ON the line to left foot in foul territory, essentially blocking the entire base path without the ball.

Clearly there was OBS calls in 2017, UCLA pulled one from LSU. I can see how Coach Fernandez was pissed, she probably thought OBS and wasn't given the call.

Example
This would have been a standard normal play.
No issues. HAA now its an arguement...oh not funny.


Just to ask
even though the rule can be applied ...
are there other people that recognize that sometimes this call is made and it's just completely cheesy? I see it,
it's okay if others don't
but I see it

Probly get some flack from the rule spouters for saying that.