The Army Leap Play

TMD · May 16, 2016

So, this was widely posted over the weekend...cool looking play by a very athletic Army player.

My question is this - could there have been an obstruction call on the catcher? It looks to me like she is fully blocking the runner's path to the plate well before the ball got there.

Thoughts?

Comp · May 16, 2016

http://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-catching/28204-catcher-obstruction.html

All your answers are here.

TMD · May 16, 2016

So no OBS (...unless I totally misunderstood the other thread, in which case it is OBS...but I don't think I did so we'll stick with no OBS...unless I'm wrong.

)

Is the leap itself illegal in any rule sets?

Comp · May 16, 2016

No it wasn't obstruction, the runner never altered their path to the plate or slowed down prior to the catcher having the ball.

Leaping any defender is illegal in NFHS and USSSA unless they are laying on the ground.

Amy in AZ. · May 16, 2016

Thanks Comp. I thought it was illegal in HS, as it should be. If the catcher had reacted by standing up, things might have been bad.

4KidsDad · May 16, 2016

Comp said:
No it wasn't obstruction, the runner never altered their path to the plate or slowed down prior to the catcher having the ball.

Leaping any defender is illegal in NFHS and USSSA unless they are laying on the ground.

Had a similar play like this a few weekends ago in one of our games - NSA.

Ump called her out automatically for leaping like that. Haven't had a chance to look up NSA rule set.

Any idea whether it's ok for NSA?

Comp · May 16, 2016

Only NSA book I have access to is a 2012 and see nothing in it about jumping or hurdling a fielder.

CoogansBluff · May 16, 2016

I assume, then, that leaping is legal in NCAA, or did umpire miss the call?

I see it's illegal in NFHS. Is it also illegal in ASA? And is ASA what the NFHS adopts?

Comp · May 16, 2016

Only 2 rulesets I am specifically aware of it being illegal in is nfhs and usssa. Legal in all other rulesets I am aware of.

PlayPerfect · May 17, 2016

Comp - regarding your statement that leaping in this scenario is an out in NFHS - I reference NFHS only...- The only rule I see is a NOTE at the bottom of Rule 8-6, Art. 10. This article refers to a runner being out for interfering with a fielder. a. a fielder attempting to make an initial play, b. a fielder attempting to field a fly ball over foul territory, c. a fielder attempting to throw a ball, and d. interfering intentionally with a fielder or a thrown ball. The note says verbatim - "Jumping, hurdling and leaping are all legal attempts to avoid a fielder only if the fielder is lying on the ground." I do not see where it says that leaping to avoid a tag is an out.

Do you have additional NFHS guidance that says hurdling to avoid a tag is an out?

The Army Leap Play

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TMD

Comp

TMD

Comp

Amy in AZ.

4KidsDad

Comp

CoogansBluff

Comp

PlayPerfect

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