So, yes, there is a little bit more to it than that! Personally, considering the rule set in effect, this didn't seem to me to be obstruction.
thanks for clarifying the NCAA rule.
i was not aware of that difference
So, yes, there is a little bit more to it than that! Personally, considering the rule set in effect, this didn't seem to me to be obstruction.
No contact with runner before the catcher had the ball.
I don't think contact is a requirement for obstruction here. Just needs to impede the runner, force her out of her natural attempt to reach the base, if I understand correctly.
A question for me is whether the base-runner was impeded by the catcher's presence. The catcher was blocking the plate long before she was 'about' to catch it. Her mere presence can intimidate a base-runner who sees there is no way to avoid a collision. So, is a catcher allowed to intimidate a runner (cause her to be timid by putting up a road block) when not in the act of catching the ball? Couldn't an umpire judge that this is obstruction?
Wow, are you saying the catcher mentally impeded the runner?? I'll try that argument next time there is a close play at home.
"But Blue she would have beat the ball and the tag but the catcher was standing by home plate!"
IMO, good call. And yes I'm an Auburn fan.
How many injuries have been caused by a "gray area" call/interpretation such as this? It should be a black and white call.
IMO, either call interference/obstruction every time on this situation, to reduce these types of plays where major injuries can occur due to collisions.
Or open it up wide open like in ML baseball, and turn it into "The Pete Rose highlight reel" and turn the blocking catchers into bowling pins. By allowing the runner to get to the home plate by "whatever means necessary" when it is "blocked/obstructed" by the catcher.
How many times have you seen a catcher block/obstruct a plate, like in this game, where the runner comes sliding in to maneuver around them to touch the blocked plate, and then the catcher lays down a punch tag and drives the runner into the ground? While the runners leg is twisted like silly putty around the braced catcher's legs.
It seems a little one sided to me... and yes, one of my DDs catches.
JMO