WS obstruction

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

Here is the link. You get a good look at about 2 minute mark.

Obstruction call gives Cards win over Red Sox in World Series Game 3 - MLB News | FOX Sports on MSN

You are correct, this video shows no contact between Craig and Middlebrooks until Middlebrooks obstructs Craig.

MTD, Sr.

[asdf]

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

Here is the link. You get a good look at about 2 minute mark.

Obstruction call gives Cards win over Red Sox in World Series Game 3 - MLB News | FOX Sports on MSN

Try this link.....

Watch: Cardinals win Game 3 on walk-off obstruction call (with official rule) | The Strike Zone - SI.com

Start out at about 1:45, then do some repeated start/stops up until 1:52, focusing on the 1:50 - 1:51 segment. This is good quality video so there are a lot of frames per second, and they are pretty clear. Do it multiple times and you will get a lot of good stills between 1:50-1:51.

By performing this stop/start you will clearly see...

Middlebrooks in front of third base
Craig sliding to the back of the bag, right foot extended, left knee tucked
Craig's right foot in contact with the bag, left knee clear from Middlebrooks...

All before the ball gets to Middlebrooks' glove.......


When the ball passes Middlebrooks' glove and hits Craig's arm (that's what deflected it to foul territory) there is still separation between Craig's knee and his foot is still behind Middlebrooks' feet.

At that point, by rule, the attempt to field the ball is over and it's Middlebrooks' responsibility to "disappear". There is no contact between the two until Craig tries to advance.

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

Middlebrooks had his feet cut from under him, thus his being on the ground. Middlebrooks was attempting to get up when Craig put both of his hands in Middlebrooks back using him as leverage to get up first. So do you have interference then?

Middlebrooks was prone because of the catchers errant throw; Craig did not contact him on the slide into third. I also don't see how Middlebrooks was used as "leverage"....anyone who is tripped puts their hands down to break their fall, which is exactly what Craig did.

Originally Posted by Steven Tyler

I look at it not like a train wreck, but a fender bender. I see Craig using a popup slide, and contacting Middlebrooks as he was coming up.

Watch this video, especially the clip at 1:37. Yes Middlebrooks lifts his feet but this is NOT a result of contact from Craig. Middlebrooks is simply trying to get his feet out of the way so as not to get spiked in the ankle. 2nd basemen do this same move all the time.