Pitcher obstruction?

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

walt,

So, in jbarry's original sitch, where the fielder is in a "sitting slide", how would you apply this case play if the fielder did NOT have posession of the ball and the runner...

a. jumped over the fielder's legs?

b. had his legs cut out from under him by the sitting/sliding fielder and ended up going "*** over teakettle" over said fielder's head?

JM

Speaking FED -

I'd have to see the situation you described in (a). If the pitcher was sliding and the runner stepped over an outstretched leg I'd probably have nothing. Now jumping/leaping/diving over the fielder's body is a different story.

In (b), if the fielder initiated contact by sliding into the runner I'd have obstruction.

HTBT

[UmpJM]

walt,

I'd definitely have obstruction in both.

JM

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

walt,

So, in jbarry's original sitch, where the fielder is in a "sitting slide", how would you apply this case play if the fielder did NOT have posession of the ball and the runner...

a. jumped over the fielder's legs?

b. had his legs cut out from under him by the sitting/sliding fielder and ended up going "*** over teakettle" over said fielder's head?

JM

Originally Posted by waltjp

Speaking FED -

I'd have to see the situation you described in (a). If the pitcher was sliding and the runner stepped over an outstretched leg I'd probably have nothing. Now jumping/leaping/diving over the fielder's body is a different story.

In (b), if the fielder initiated contact by sliding into the runner I'd have obstruction.

HTBT

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

walt,

I'd definitely have obstruction in both.

JM

I thought about this after I signed off last night and I agree with you in (a). Obstruction should be the call, not 'nothing'.

[eagle_12]

Jim Paronto's interp (NCAA Secretary rules-Editor):

Obstruction Rule 2, Sec. 50, AR 4

applies not only to intentionally kicked at (similar to video) but also deflected ball, F1 had his chance to make a play on the ball, and must avoid the runner even if in the act of picking up the ball