Crazy situation

[Striker991]

Little League, 11-12 year-olds. I am PU. Batter hits ball, but thinks it went foul. Ball goes almost straight up, but in fair territory between Home and the Pitcher's Mound. Batter doesn't move, ball drops and is not caught. Catcher fields the ball. Runner comes in from third, batter interferes with the runner coming in and slows him down, then starts running to first. Catcher tags R3, then throws to first, but overthrows and runner is safe at first.

Question: Since the batter did not obstruct the catcher, only his own runner, is he out?

[brandda]

LOL - Would love to see the coach trying to argue an obstruction call on his own player. Even better would be an opposing coach trying to get obstruction called when only opposing team members were involved:

"HEY BLUE! He interfered with his own runner making it easier for us to get the out, therefore he's out!". Cracks me up to just think about it.

No, obstruction can only be caused by a defensive player. As long as the catcher did not interfere with the batter leaving the box (which it sounds like he did not) then it is R3 out, batter safe. If the catcher prevented the batter from leaving the box which led to the slowdown by R3 then you might (big maybe here, it would have to be really blatant for me to make this call) have an argument for obstruction on the catcher which would make everybody safe.

I can't see any way that the batter would be out though under any circumstances.

[bluezebra]

Varsity softball game. Visitors down 2-1, R2, top of the seventh. Batter singles, drops bat on 3rd base line. On deck batter goes to line, bends down to pick up bat. R2 rounds 3B, flips over on deck batter, throw arrives, F2 tags R2, game over.

This incident, and the original post, prove that most coaches don't teach their players.

LL..When you hit the ball, run until the UMPIRE tells you it's a foul ball.

SB..When a runner is coming around 3B, trying to score, STAY AWAY!

Bob

[Edited by bluezebra on Jun 19th, 2002 at 12:05 AM]