Play at the plate

[jicecone]

Well lets see here. Are we going to get into a technical discussion about the catchers position at or on the plate. Fed defines one form of obstruction NFHS2.22.3 as a "fielder without possession of the ball, denying access to the base the runner is attempting to achieve." did that happen?

We also have the condition of two people meeting at the same place, meaning , sometimes crap happens. If you didn't feel as though the contact was malicious and that the runner could have avoided contact AT the plate and did not, then it's your call. We were not there. Just remember the rules do not say that contact is totally illegal in a game were two people are trying to get to the same place at the same time. Had to be there.

As far as being 3 feet up the line. If you feel as though F2 denied access to the plate without possession of the ball, then we have obstruction.

Sorry but, the necessary discretion on these calls is not always a black and white interprtation of the rules. Here is definetly where experience helps.

[Forest Ump]

Originally Posted by jicecone

Well lets see here. Are we going to get into a technical discussion about the catchers position at or on the plate. Fed defines one form of obstruction NFHS2.22.3 as a "fielder without possession of the ball, denying access to the base the runner is attempting to achieve." did that happen?

We also have the condition of two people meeting at the same place, meaning , sometimes crap happens. If you didn't feel as though the contact was malicious and that the runner could have avoided contact AT the plate and did not, then it's your call. We were not there. Just remember the rules do not say that contact is totally illegal in a game were two people are trying to get to the same place at the same time. Had to be there.

As far as being 3 feet up the line. If you feel as though F2 denied access to the plate without possession of the ball, then we have obstruction.

Sorry but, the necessary discretion on these calls is not always a black and white interprtation of the rules. Here is definetly where experience helps.

I was an observer at this game, but I have seen this play twice this year (as an observer, sit. A and B). As I said, the runner came in and did not try to avoid. I believe any movement can be justified as trying to avoid. Absent that movement, I've got an out. I actually have never called an out for not trying to avoid and was hoping to get some feedback on this call. Thanks.

[etn_ump]

Situation 1: I got nothing.

Situation 2: I got obstruction.