Catcher obstruction ruling

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Apr 5, 2013
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Back on the dirt...
Catcher obstruction ruling added another video clip of different play.

[video]https://youtu.be/vR-d357fHFo[/video]

Correct call or obstruction. Just want to educate myself.
 
Last edited:
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Doesn't look like runner ever deviated or slowed on way to plate. As long as catcher had ball before contact i would have nothing but an out.

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MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
Doesn't look like runner ever deviated or slowed on way to plate. As long as catcher had ball before contact i would have nothing but an out.

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I would love to have another angle seeing the lead foot
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
Doesn't look like runner ever deviated or slowed on way to plate. As long as catcher had ball before contact i would have nothing but an out.

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I agree.

In NCAA they are calling this obstruction and under their new rule this season that would probably correct or it at least seemed that is what they wanted the umpires to call. But no other ABC org has changed their rule wording yet so this is an out - the runner certainly wasn't effected in anyway by the catchers move into receiving the catch and it looked like the ball was there before or real close to contact.

Because the rule is different than what we see on TV people are understandably getting confused - especially since the less serious umpire can also be influenced by what they see on TV as well. Frankly I am not sure in a quick play like this what the catcher can do other than what she did - get up, move a couple of steps up and make a tag. Not a lot of time to do anything different and still make a play. Personally I think the NCAA rule goes too far but at least it is fairly black and white while the ABC orgs rules can be really vague about how it should be called.
 
Apr 5, 2013
2,130
83
Back on the dirt...
Thank you for the replies. I guess I was thinking more NCAA rules. This is ASA.

The catcher set up in the base path on any play at home. I had parents asking me about it and I wanted to get the correct answer. I knew where to ask. :)
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
I think it is hard call for umpire, video is lovely.

I am going to defer to the smart people.

(not this play but must slide rule is brutal)
 
Last edited:
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
I see obstruction. Catcher blocking plate without ball.
Blocking th plate is nothing if the runner is never impeded prior to the catcher possessing the ball. To have obstruction there must be some hindrance of the runner prior to the catcher having the ball.

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Aug 30, 2015
286
28
What the catcher is doing wouldn't be allowed at any other base. Runner doesn't deviate or slow because there's nowhere to go after home.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
What the catcher is doing wouldn't be allowed at any other case. Runner doesn't deviate or slow because there's nowhere to go after home.
Yes what the catcher is doing is allowed anywhere on the bases. Until the runner is impeded in some way it is nothing.

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