Game winning run Oklahoma vs Baylor

[knightsb]

Between the legs slide to give Oklahoma the extra innings win versus Baylor.

 

[29dad]

Great clip!!

Curious - I find the rule confusing. Is this a legal play by the catcher?? She is blocking the plate without the ball, but perhaps it is okay because the player still had room to slide??

 

[Comp]

There is no rule about blocking a base, the rule is the defense cannot impede the runner without possession of the ball. This probably should have been ruled obstruction as the runner arrived and slid between the catchers legs prior to the ball arriving, but since the runner was safe anyway it is a moot point.

Blocking a base is becoming one of the newer rule myths and unfortunately is being advanced by many umpires who refuse to read the entire obstruction rule for what it says. There are 2 key elements to the rule on obstructions and both of these elements have to be met to have obstruction. 1, a defensive player not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding a batted ball, and 2, impeding or hindering an offensive player from running the bases without possession of the ball. A defensive player can block any base they like and it is absolutely nothing until the runner is actually impeded.