Reds/Pirates Catcher Obstruction (7.13)

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by charliej47

I was watching the game and I think they were talking about him blocking the plate/path while waiting for the ball.

That's not shocking... at least that's HALF of the rule...

[EsqUmp]

The good thing about these sorts of calls/reversals is that they will help to eliminate much of replay in future years.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

The good thing about these sorts of calls/reversals is that they will help to eliminate much of replay in future years.

Said all of my Football officiating colleagues several years ago.

[APG]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

The good thing about these sorts of calls/reversals is that they will help to eliminate much of replay in future years.

This will never happen. Whether umpires here like it or not, eliminating replay would be seen as a huge step backwards by the fans and the media.

For those that don't like replay, at best replay abilities will stay the same over the next couple of years. More likely, it'll be expanded in some form or fashion.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

OUT!!

MTD, Sr.

[rbmartin]

I'm a big Reds fan but this is a simple out all day long.

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by APG

This will never happen. Whether umpires here like it or not, eliminating replay would be seen as a huge step backwards by the fans and the media.

My words exactly:

"Cry-baby whining perfection sickos that scream injustice over a GAME"

[tmagan]

It is all well and good in the regular season, but if this happens in a crucial postseason moment, as Al Michaels would say: 'There will be hell to pay'.

[john5396]

Look at 3:20 of the video clip. Does the catcher open his glove and bobble the ball for a moment?

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Mark, Jr., and I looked at the video today and then downloaded the 2014 MLB Rules. We then read Rule 7.13. After reading R7.13, we could not understand how the PU call was overturned.

Rule 7.13

The Playing Rules Committee has adopted Rule 7.13 as set forth below on an
experimental basis for the 2014 season.

7.13 COLLISIONS AT HOME PLATE.

(1) A runner attempting to score may not deviate from his direct pathway to the plate in order to initiate contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate). If, in the judgment of the umpire, a runner attempting to score initiates contact with the catcher (or other player covering home plate) in such a manner, the umpire shall declare the runner out (even if the player covering home plate loses possession of the ball). In such circumstances, the umpire shall call the ball dead, and all other base runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the collision.

Rule 7.13(1) Comment: The failure by the runner to make an effort to touch the plate, the runner’s lowering of the shoulder, or the runner’s pushing through with his hands, elbows or arms, would support a determination that the runner deviated from the pathway in order to initiate contact with the
catcher in violation of Rule 7.13. If the runner slides into the plate in an appropriate manner, he shall not be adjudged to have violated Rule 7.13. A slide shall be deemed appropriate, in the case of a feet first slide, if the runner’s buttocks and legs should hit the ground before contact with the catcher. In the case of a head first slide, a runner shall be deemed to have slid appropriately if his body should hit the ground before contact with the catcher.

(2) Unless the catcher is in possession of the ball, the catcher cannot block the pathway of the runner as he is attempting to score. If, in the judgment of the umpire, the catcher without possession of the ball blocks the pathway of the runner, the umpire shall call or signal the runner safe. Notwithstanding the above, it shall not be considered a violation of this Rule 7.13 if the catcher blocks the pathway of the runner in order to field a throw, and the umpire determines that the catcher could not have fielded the ball without blocking the pathway of the runner and that contact with the runner was unavoidable.


Subparagraph (2) is the governing rule in the video. After we read it we couldn't figure out how the replay umpires in New York could screw up the play.

MTD, Sr.

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by john5396

Look at 3:20 of the video clip. Does the catcher open his glove and bobble the ball for a moment?

NO

This has already been ruled another replay flub. Which means we need a more sophisticated system:

1. Replay
2. Replay of the Replay
3. Audience Participation, please press your choice.
4. Flip a coin

[bossman72]

Originally Posted by jicecone

My words exactly:

"Cry-baby whining perfection sickos that scream injustice over a GAME"

The level of ball WE do is a game.

There's millions of dollars at risk on every game in MLB, so calls need to be right. It's more than a game at that level. It's a business.