Reds/Pirates Catcher Obstruction (7.13)

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

(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.

Actually it's pretty simple. Nowhere in the paragraph that you highlighted does it say, "...and hinders the runner in the process."

It all boils down to this: They are trying to prevent collisions at home; they are not trying to prevent obstruction at home. This isn't new language under rule 7.06; it's a new rule all unto itself that really has nothing to do with a runner being hindered.

They want catchers to position themselves in front of the plate or behind the plate, not in the runner's path. By being in the runner's path without the ball as the runner approaches, it may force the runner into deciding to crash into the catcher, and that's what the suits in NYC want to prevent. And even if the runner turns out to be a dead duck on the play, the rule penalizes the catcher for being where he isn't supposed to be. It doesn't matter what happened afterward. Once that catcher is in the runner's path without the ball as the runner approaches the plate, the bell is rung.

All that said, I think the new rule tips the balance too much in favor of the offense. On plays where the catcher straddles home plate and gives the runner access to slide in, and the runner is easily thrown out, then there shouldn't be a violation. It should only be a violation if the catcher sets up further up the line, which would motivate the runner into crashing the catcher. And on force plays at home, there shouldn't be any reason to penalize the catcher for being on the plate.