[chapmaja]

Yesterday while watching the Michigan Iowa BTT game there was a play at the plate that drew some controversial comments from the TV coverage.

Runner at third, less than 2 outs. Michigan batter hits a fly ball to left which is caught. Runner at third tags up and comes home. Catcher is lines up inside the baseline initially, giving the runner the outside of the line, which is wear he is running.

Just prior to the ball arriving, the catcher slides over in front of the runner and a collision occurs. The ball never appears to be in possession of the catcher and rolls away. The Iowa catcher has to leave the game with a possible concussion.

The umpire ruled the runner safe, a call the TV booth talking heads (one who I think was a former Big Ten player) strongly disagreed with.

The way I saw the play, the runner never had an opportunity to avoid the catcher sliding over in front of him. The best comparison I can come up with is from basketball. If this was a block-charge situation, it would definitely be a blocking call. Given the catcher did not have the ball in his possession, I would see it as an obstruction call as well. (I am also not sure the runner ever touched the plate).