At this point it is pretty darn close. You could argue the runner has a sliver of space to slide past the catcher and IF the catcher catches the ball before the runner gets there, there is likely no interference.
Hmmmm….maybe disagree here. The obstruction could have already happened. Definitely understand the obstruction can't happen after she gets the ball but she could obstruct prior to receiving yet still catch the ball before the runner gets there. Right?Yes, if the catcher has the ball when the runner gets there, obstruction cannot happen.
So if you look at the field and the actual set up of the field the foul line is coming out of the top of the batter box. If you are running the line to the bottom of home plate the line does not come out of the top corner of the box ( at least on the field diagrams I have seen on usssa and usa site). And the other thing the Girl slides and gets the top corner of home plate with her right foot which is not impeded at all and her left knee would be "above home plate", it does seem her left knee does get my catchers foot but again her left knee is higher up home plate. So I get that its umpire discretion and all and I didn't argue it. Wish i would have asked the ump to clarify but didnt get the chance after, so that was my mistake.Sure looks like obstruction would be justified if the angle isn't deceiving. Think about where the foul line runs (back of the plate) and look at where she appears to be set up, which is on the foul line. There wouldn't be any plate available to the runner. If by "in front of the plate" you mean towards the infield, then what you are said about where they should set up sounds correct, but that doesn't appear to be how she is set up in the pic.
So if the runner decides to run just inside the foul line in fair territory in line with the catcher who is set up just in front of home plate, does it still become obstruction? I mean saying the path is created by the baserunner and the catcher has to somehow know what that path is while they are tracking the incoming ball is a pretty tall task since they arent necessarily keeping their eye on the runner to see where the path would lead to. I know the standard is set up in front of home plate. Which is what we do. its just the offline throw, I guess I tell my catchers to step towards the ball instead of trying to let the ball come to them and stepping towards 3rd up the foul line, and to be at least a foot inside the foul line? I know my catcher takes a shuffle to the left and get that she may be covering a little bit of home plate but the fact the girl slid in and got her right foot on the top corner of the plate just makes me think that the catcher wasnt actually blocking home plate at all and was just above the path (thats why the left knee just barely caught the catchers foot)If you have to use that kind of justification, it is obstruction. Allowing a key hole is not acceptable. The runner gets to determine their path, not the fielder.
Yes, if the catcher has the ball when the runner gets there, obstruction cannot happen.
So if the runner decides to run just inside the foul line in fair territory in line with the catcher who is set up just in front of home plate, does it still become obstruction? I mean saying the path is created by the baserunner and the catcher has to somehow know what that path is while they are tracking the incoming ball is a pretty tall task since they arent necessarily keeping their eye on the runner to see where the path would lead to. I know the standard is set up in front of home plate. Which is what we do. its just the offline throw, I guess I tell my catchers to step towards the ball instead of trying to let the ball come to them and stepping towards 3rd up the foul line, and to be at least a foot inside the foul line? I know my catcher takes a shuffle to the left and get that she may be covering a little bit of home plate but the fact the girl slid in and got her right foot on the top corner of the plate just makes me think that the catcher wasnt actually blocking home plate at all and was just above the path (thats why the left knee just barely caught the catchers foot)
Makes sense. so if the throw is offline towards 3rd base, Tell the catchers don't go up the line to 3rd in fair territory cause that could still be obstruction, instead don't wait for the ball to get to you, step farther in fair territory and dive back for a tag??? Just looking for the words to tell my catchers so we dont run into this when it really matters. Thanks all.View attachment 27830
Just to be clear, no matter the way your batters box was drawn, both 3rd base and home plate are "inside the foul line in fair territory", so a runner running inside is actually running directly between the bases. And given a tag up play like this, it is the most direct route home. While it may be a tall task for the defense, they must not obstruct.
Had the catcher in this play eventually possessed the ball, it would be a much more difficult call, but I'd still lean obstruction. Since she never possessed the ball, obstruction is easier. Since she was safe anyway, it doesn't really matter.
So if the runner decides to run just inside the foul line in fair territory in line with the catcher who is set up just in front of home plate, does it still become obstruction? I mean saying the path is created by the baserunner and the catcher has to somehow know what that path is while they are tracking the incoming ball is a pretty tall task since they arent necessarily keeping their eye on the runner to see where the path would lead to. I know the standard is set up in front of home plate. Which is what we do. its just the offline throw, I guess I tell my catchers to step towards the ball instead of trying to let the ball come to them and stepping towards 3rd up the foul line, and to be at least a foot inside the foul line? I know my catcher takes a shuffle to the left and get that she may be covering a little bit of home plate but the fact the girl slid in and got her right foot on the top corner of the plate just makes me think that the catcher wasnt actually blocking home plate at all and was just above the path (thats why the left knee just barely caught the catchers foot)
At some point, if the ball is offline foul, you're going to have to accept that the runner will score. Either you get foul well in front of the runner or after. If the timing is close, you catcher will either have to run around the runner, wait for the runner to pass, or obstruct - either way, an errant through is going to allow the run to score.Makes sense. so if the throw is offline towards 3rd base, Tell the catchers don't go up the line to 3rd in fair territory cause that could still be obstruction, instead don't wait for the ball to get to you, step farther in fair territory and dive back for a tag??? Just looking for the words to tell my catchers so we dont run into this when it really matters. Thanks all.