NCAA Collision Rule at home plate

[johnnyg08]

Okay, so the "in the act of fielding the ball" doesn't apply to NCAA? Or is there some gray area there? A.R. 4b...then we have OBS?

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

Okay, so the "in the act of fielding the ball" doesn't apply to NCAA? Or is there some gray area there? A.R. 4b...then we have OBS?

Correct. No gray area. If a fielder who does not have the ball blocks the base (obstructs the runner), and the runner maliciously contacts the fielder (umpire judgment), he is ejected, but he scores on the OBS (unlike FED).

[bossman72]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

Correct. No gray area. If a fielder who does not have the ball blocks the base (obstructs the runner), and the runner maliciously contacts the fielder (umpire judgment), he is ejected, but he scores on the OBS (unlike FED).

Additionally, the ball is still dead.

[jicecone]

More specifically, how do you interpret the train wreck?

How do you interpret "made an attempt to avoid contact?"

Take a look at the runner as he is coming in. Usually he will make some type movement Eg: lower his shoulder, bring up his arm or elbow to brace for impact or punish the catcher. Sometimes it is tough to tell but I tend to favor the catcher. Did he try and run through the catcher? Look for these things. Does the runner barrel down on the catcher or initate a slide before he gets to the catcher? Was the catcher the agressor?

Contact does not mean it is malicious contact because two people are both trying to be in the same place , at the same time.

You have to experience this a few times to get it correct and even then there is always the fine line between what you see and what others think you should have seen.

Now beyond that, it quite clear what the interp is.

[SanDiegoSteve]

The rule is actually written quite nicely and uses good old common sense, which should be able to be applied universally across rule codes in practice.

[Umpmazza]

Here is a video ..go to the 2.36 mark..

YouTube - NCAA Umpiring Bulletin #1 - March 1, 2005