HS Fed - Catcher Obstruction question

[CLBuffalo]

At a HS baseball meeting today the following situation came up. A catcher reaches across the plate to catch a pitch rather than letting the pitch come to the glove. Is this catcher obstruction? I have looked at the definition of Obstruction (2.22 - Obstruction and Fake Tag) and the subsequent references but can not find anything that specifically prohibits this. 2.22 does say in part "... or when a catcher or fielder hinders a batter as in 5-1-2b, 8-1-1e, 8-3-1c and 8-3-2." These references do not specifically list this action as obstruction.

There were some at the meeting who said this could not be called in baseball unless the batter swung at the pitch and contact was made with catcher's glove. I said a catcher could get a broken hand doing this and I was told that was on the catcher. I am used to telling a catcher to back up if I think they are too close to the batter and may get hurt. I can't see letting something develop that is potentially dangerous to any player.

This will be my first year doing baseball. I have umpired softball for 22 years and in the Fed Softball Rule Book it does specifically prohibit this action. I appreciate your thoughts and comments.

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by CLBuffalo

At a HS baseball meeting today the following situation came up. A catcher reaches across the plate to catch a pitch rather than letting the pitch come to the glove. Is this catcher obstruction? I have looked at the definition of Obstruction (2.22 - Obstruction and Fake Tag) and the subsequent references but can not find anything that specifically prohibits this. 2.22 does say in part "... or when a catcher or fielder hinders a batter as in 5-1-2b, 8-1-1e, 8-3-1c and 8-3-2." These references do not specifically list this action as obstruction.

There were some at the meeting who said this could not be called in baseball unless the batter swung at the pitch and contact was made with catcher's glove. I said a catcher could get a broken hand doing this and I was told that was on the catcher. I am used to telling a catcher to back up if I think they are too close to the batter and may get hurt. I can't see letting something develop that is potentially dangerous to any player. This will be my first year doing baseball. I have umpired softball for 22 years and in the Fed Softball Rule Book it does specifically prohibit this action. I appreciate your thoughts and comments.

The catcher may not reach in front of the plate to catch a pitch, he must let it "come to him." Im sure somebody will be able to provide the appropriate wording from JEA or J/R, but this would be another example of obstruction.

[Uncle George]

For me, it's nothing until bat hits glove on the swing! If I think that the catcher is too close, I say nothing. It's not my place to "coach" the game, it's to enforce the rules so the game is played by the rules. Don't get me wrong. I do have a heart, I feel sorry for the player. In most cases the catcher will remember what happened and scoot back a little. As they say, experience is the best teacher.

[mcrowder]

It's a bad practice to reach out, but let me ask you this - what did he obstruct? If the batter wasn't swinging, then the catcher's actions didn't obstruct anything.

PS - you should not coach the players on where to stand/sit. They have coaches for that. Wait until one gets by, the coach gets on the catcher, and the catcher says, "But coach, Blue told me to move up." Officiate the game - don't affect it. (And if your umping kiddos - you're better off telling the coach about a potential problem than telling the kid to move back).

[bob jenkins]

I'm 98% certain that there's a FED case that indicates it *is* obstrcution if F2's mitt is over the plate after F1 begins his motion (or is in a position ready to pitch).

[Justme]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I'm 98% certain that there's a FED case that indicates it *is* obstrcution if F2's mitt is over the plate after F1 begins his motion (or is in a position ready to pitch).

I'm not sure what the FED case book says but the BRD states:

287 Interference by: Catcher: Definition

FED: Catcher obstruction (interference) occurs when the catcher: (1) touches the batter's bat; (2) pushes the batter to reach the pitch; or (3) steps on or across home plate to reach the pitch (8.3.1c)

[ozzy6900]

Your answer is in the FED Case Book.

NHFS Case book 2006


8.1.1 SITUATION F: R1 is on second base. After B2 takes his position in batter's box, F2 clearly reaches out over home plate (a) prior to; (b) after F1 has made a movement that has committed him to pitch; or (c) to receive the pitch.

RULING: It is catcher obstruction in both (b) and (c), and B2 is awarded first base and R1 is awarded third base only if he was stealing on the pitch. F2 may not catch the pitch until it has passed home plate. In (a), there is no violation provided F2 and his equipment are removed from the area over home plate before pitcher has made a movement that committed him to pitch. (8-3-1 c)