Avoiding the Catcher: FED

[Keefj200]

There are many aspects of this play. It would seem the catcher has the clear advantage in this situation. He has no fear of being "Pete Rosed." I have a difficult time calling the runner out of the baseline if he attempting to avoid contact with the catcher at home plate. The runner has a few options - he can attempt to go inside or outside to avoid the catcher. The runner cannot go through the catcher. F-2 is also in a difficult situation - he has to be in position to make the catch and apply the tag. In his attempt to field the throw - he might be drawn into the path of the runner. It is a difficult judgment call at best. Earlier this year I had a throw by the first baseman draw the catcher up the third base line. The runner, not wishing to run through the catcher chose to slide into the catcher 8' in front of the plate. The offensive coach wanted obstruction on the catcher. My view is the catcher has the right to go up the line to field the throw - the runner, at this point, has more options than the catcher - I called the runner out. In my opinion, the runner had the opportunity to simply go to the outside of the catcher and easily tag home plate. There is no way, in this situation, that I was going to call the runner out for being out of the base line.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Keefj200

I have a difficult time calling the runner out of the baseline if he attempting to avoid contact with the catcher at home plate.

Two possibilities:

1. Runner comes in wide to avoid the CATCHER but comes straight to the plate once F2 has the ball. Ruling: play on.

2. Runner deviates from his path to the plate to avoid the TAG. Ruling: if the catcher can't reach him, he's out for being out of the baseline.