- Apr 23, 2019
- 17
- 3
I got such an awesome response to my first post that I also wanted to ask about another issue that’s been popping up a lot lately.
Yesterday, I was calling a middle school game that uses NFHS rules and we twice had errant throws take the fielder into the runner’s path at the bag. No obstruction calls made, but coach asked about it on one.
I’m looking at NFHS rule, which reads: “Obstruction is the act of the defensive team member that hinders or impedes a batter's attempt to make contact with a pitched ball or that impedes the progress of a runner or batter-runner who is legally running bases, unless the fielder is in possession of the ball or is making the initial play on a batted ball. The act may be intentional or unintentional, physical or verbal.”
I believe in both cases contact was made as the ball arrived, but prior to defender having possession. My interpretation of the rule is that we should call obstruction on errant throws pulling fielder into the runner’s path.
Contrast that to NSA rule, which begins like NFHS rule until it says, “unless…catching a thrown ball.” Tonight, in NSA league, an errant throw took 1st baseman into runner’s path and resulted in an out. No obstruction called on grounds that throw pulled them there.
So, am I correct in saying that NFHS and NSA should be called a little differently due to the explicit mention of catching the ball in NSA rules? How do you guys that call NFHS treat this play? Does runner right of way supersede a fielder’s right to adjust to a thrown ball?
Other obstruction related question: I’ve been taking notice of fielders remaining in contact with their base when the ball is still in outfield and there’s no chance of a play. By the literal definition of NSA/NFHS rules, any action that impedes the base runner is obstruction when the ball isn’t present, right? So, it’s irrelevant if they’re still allowing the runner a partial path to base. If they’re setup on inside or outside of bag and there’s no eminent play, they’re obstructing, right?
Do you give a little leeway in the case where the center fielder has ball in possession and second baseman sets up on outside corner of bag, leaving inside path for the runner? I see that as a possible grey area but maybe I’m incorrect and overthinking?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yesterday, I was calling a middle school game that uses NFHS rules and we twice had errant throws take the fielder into the runner’s path at the bag. No obstruction calls made, but coach asked about it on one.
I’m looking at NFHS rule, which reads: “Obstruction is the act of the defensive team member that hinders or impedes a batter's attempt to make contact with a pitched ball or that impedes the progress of a runner or batter-runner who is legally running bases, unless the fielder is in possession of the ball or is making the initial play on a batted ball. The act may be intentional or unintentional, physical or verbal.”
I believe in both cases contact was made as the ball arrived, but prior to defender having possession. My interpretation of the rule is that we should call obstruction on errant throws pulling fielder into the runner’s path.
Contrast that to NSA rule, which begins like NFHS rule until it says, “unless…catching a thrown ball.” Tonight, in NSA league, an errant throw took 1st baseman into runner’s path and resulted in an out. No obstruction called on grounds that throw pulled them there.
So, am I correct in saying that NFHS and NSA should be called a little differently due to the explicit mention of catching the ball in NSA rules? How do you guys that call NFHS treat this play? Does runner right of way supersede a fielder’s right to adjust to a thrown ball?
Other obstruction related question: I’ve been taking notice of fielders remaining in contact with their base when the ball is still in outfield and there’s no chance of a play. By the literal definition of NSA/NFHS rules, any action that impedes the base runner is obstruction when the ball isn’t present, right? So, it’s irrelevant if they’re still allowing the runner a partial path to base. If they’re setup on inside or outside of bag and there’s no eminent play, they’re obstructing, right?
Do you give a little leeway in the case where the center fielder has ball in possession and second baseman sets up on outside corner of bag, leaving inside path for the runner? I see that as a possible grey area but maybe I’m incorrect and overthinking?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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