Malicious contact or nothing?

[Rich Ives]

Why was the catcher on 3BLE? He doesn't belong there. He belongs at the front edge of the plate because.

He can take the throw and slide-pivot into the path for the tag.

He allows access until he has the ball.

He has a clear path for the ball to reach him - no chance that the runner runs in front of him and get hit with the ball (right Piazza?).

He has an unimpeded throw to another base if that becomes necessary.

Stupid catching - he shares the blame (if there's blame to hand out). You can't stand on the tracks then blame the train can you?

AND

BTW - sliding slows you down so saying the runner should slide means the catcher caused the impedance and thus obstructed.

AND

You can slide and still do MC if you slide improperly so sliding doesn't get you off the hook.

Bad catcher - too bad.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Why was the catcher on 3BLE? He doesn't belong there. He belongs at the front edge of the plate because.

Why is that? Were you there? Do you know where the throw was coming from?

He can take the throw and slide-pivot into the path for the tag.

He can do that from either place. Buster Olney now sets up away from the place you suggest he must.

He allows access until he has the ball.

He did. Full access to the base was provided. He was behind it.

He has a clear path for the ball to reach him - no chance that the runner runs in front of him and get hit with the ball (right Piazza?).

Again, how do you know where the throw was coming from or going to?

He has an unimpeded throw to another base if that becomes necessary.

He does as well where he was positioned.

Stupid catching - he shares the blame (if there's blame to hand out). You can't stand on the tracks then blame the train can you?

Wow. (roll eyes and sigh)

I will choose to punish those who break the rules. There is no rule against that catcher fielding a ball in foul territory. There is a rule against a HS runner doing what he did.

AND

BTW - sliding slows you down so saying the runner should slide means the catcher caused the impedance and thus obstructed.

I didn't say he has to slide. He has that option and certainly in the play described it would have been the better choice. He also has the choice to tag the plate and pull up. Further, he can tag the plate and step around the catcher. 3BE means a couple feet away in my book.

AND

You can slide and still do MC if you slide improperly so sliding doesn't get you off the hook.

Bad catcher - too bad.

I never argued that MC cannot occur with a slide. I am fully aware of the slide rules.

You can choose to allow a HS catcher to get crippled. I will do my best to protect him from reckless base running.

Have a good season.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

Why is that? Were you there? Do you know where the throw was coming from?



He can do that from either place. Buster Olney now sets up away from the place you suggest he must.



He did. Full access to the base was provided. He was behind it.



Again, how do you know where the throw was coming from or going to?



He does as well where he was positioned.



Wow. (roll eyes and sigh)

I will choose to punish those who break the rules. There is no rule against that catcher fielding a ball in foul territory. There is a rule against a HS runner doing what he did.



I didn't say he has to slide. He has that option and certainly in the play described it would have been the better choice. He also has the choice to tag the plate and pull up. Further, he can tag the plate and step around the catcher. 3BE means a couple feet away in my book.



I never argued that MC cannot occur with a slide. I am fully aware of the slide rules.

You can choose to allow a HS catcher to get crippled. I will do my best to protect him from reckless base running.

Have a good season.

Unless the throw was coming from behind the plate he belongs in front of the plate.

If the throw was going somewhere else the catcher doesn't belong on 3BLE either. He belongs in front of the plate to call cuts.

If the runner has to alter his aproach because the catcher-without-the-ball is there then the runner was obstructed. Are you ready to call that?

Again - if you stand on the tracks should you blame the train?

Not this play. but what if the catcher jumps into the runners path. Obstruction? MC? If MC on who?

Stuff happens.