If the catcher is blocking the plate

[DG]

Originally posted by WindyCityBlue
Yes, but if he camps out there - as a lot of coaches are teaching - in order to get the throw up the line, thus impeding the runner, it is probably going to result in an obstruction call.

The luxury of my life is that I always have at least one and most time two partners. When I'm on the dish, I don't worry about clearing the bat (that is the on deck batter's job). I'm watching and listening to the catcher. If I hear him yell "Four", and I see him setting up for a throw way down the line, I'm more likely to watch how this affects the baserunner. I've had some top catchers set up on the inside the third baseline, with the runners from second and third coming around to score. These guys extend their glove hands into the running lane so that the runners have to go around - thus slowing them down. This is a bush move, but it does happen. I've also had the catcher hold onto his mask and purposely drop it at the last moment - right in front of the plate! I kicked that f*ing thing about twenty feet. He tried that later with another crew mate and he wound up getting tossed. These players are trying everthing to gain an advantage. Be aware.

If the catcher moves up the line before the ball is even released and calls for the ball there and it is thrown there I am far more likely to call obstruction than if he is set up in front of the plate and has to move up the line to catch an errant throw.