Quote:
Originally Posted by Steven Tyler
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Try this link.....
Watch: Cardinals win Game 3 on walk-off obstruction call (with official rule) | The Strike Zone - SI.com
Start out at about 1:45, then do some repeated start/stops up until 1:52, focusing on the 1:50 - 1:51 segment. This is good quality video so there are a lot of frames per second, and they are pretty clear. Do it multiple times and you will get a lot of good stills between 1:50-1:51.
By performing this stop/start you will clearly see...
Middlebrooks in front of third base
Craig sliding to the back of the bag, right foot extended, left knee tucked
Craig's right foot in contact with the bag, left knee clear from Middlebrooks...
All before the ball gets to Middlebrooks' glove.......
When the ball passes Middlebrooks' glove and hits Craig's arm (that's what deflected it to foul territory) there is still separation between Craig's knee and his foot is still behind Middlebrooks' feet.
At that point, by rule, the attempt to field the ball is over and it's Middlebrooks' responsibility to "disappear". There is no contact between the two until Craig tries to advance.