Play at the plate

[RPatrino]

Guys, let's look at this situation.

The catcher dropped a throw, while the runner was sliding into the plate. The runner was blocked from the plate, so he never touched it. Catcher dropped the throw and during continuing action, reached for the ball and tagged the runner.

For the F2 to not obstruct in your interp he would have to move away from the plate to pick up the ball that is still within arms reach away? Seems like obstruction is a stretch in this sitch.

Bob P.

[shickenbottom]

I have heard and understand from veteran officials in my area, that on a misplayed throw and the ball is within a "Step and a reach" of the fielder, the "continuning action" mantra prevails. If the ball is outside this area, call the obstruction and award the runner home. Generally, this is between 24 and 36 inches (2 to 3 feet) from the fielder.

In your sitch, it sounds like the ball was within reach of the catcher for the play to be made. There was nothing stopping the runner from sitting up and reaching over to touch the plate.

[LMan]

Doesnt matter how far away the ball rolled, if the runner does nothing I have no OBS. If the two separate cleanly (F2 to the ball, runner to the plate) I have nothing also.

If the runner is now impeded/hindered from regaining his feet (or crawling) to the plate as F2 is attempting to get the ball, now I may have OBS.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by shickenbottom

I have heard and understand from veteran officials in my area, that on a misplayed throw and the ball is within a "Step and a reach" of the fielder, the "continuning action" mantra prevails. If the ball is outside this area, call the obstruction and award the runner home. Generally, this is between 24 and 36 inches (2 to 3 feet) from the fielder.

In your sitch, it sounds like the ball was within reach of the catcher for the play to be made. There was nothing stopping the runner from sitting up and reaching over to touch the plate.

I see both yours and Bob's point. If the game were being played under straight OBR then the fielder would still be protected from obstruction if the ball was within a step and a reach.

In Little League and NCAA this would be obstruction, as the fielder was set up in the basepath without possession of the ball.


Tim.

[shickenbottom]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

I see both yours and Bob's point. If the game were being played under straight OBR then the fielder would still be protected from obstruction if the ball was within a step and a reach.

In Little League and NCAA this would be obstruction, as the fielder was set up in the basepath without possession of the ball.

Tim.

Good point Tim, straight OBR and Fed (High School) allows the fielder to set up in the immediate act of fielding a thrown ball. NCAA was the odd man out until this past year when LL changed their ruling to mirror the NCAA. How long is it going to be until Fed changes theirs also to mirror NCAA and LL.

All these different rulings, and case plays. Pretty soon each of us will need to have a subscription to the baseball rules equivalent of the IRS Tax Code.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by shickenbottom

Good point Tim, straight OBR and Fed (High School) allows the fielder to set up in the immediate act of fielding a thrown ball. NCAA was the odd man out until this past year when LL changed their ruling to mirror the NCAA. How long is it going to be until Fed changes theirs also to mirror NCAA and LL.

All these different rulings, and case plays. Pretty soon each of us will need to have a subscription to the baseball rules equivalent of the IRS Tax Code.

I doubt we'll be seeing a change by FED anytime soon. I know there's been a push to re-structure the FED obstruction rule to model the two type's defined in OBR, but according to Tim C the NFHS rules committee has no intention of implementing the change.


Tim.

[RPatrino]

FYI, my pea brain is still in FED mode, and will be until the end of the week!!

Bob P.

[AC Blue]

Gentlemen, thanks for the input on this subject.

This was modified OBR. I've got a clearer thought pattern on this now. If the runner had made any attempt after the slide to touch home, I would have obstruction. No movement, no obstruction. The catcher losses protection as a fielder after he dropped the ball. Does this about sum it up?

Steve

In Sunny CA