Michigan-Iowa play at the plate.

[chapmaja]

Yesterday while watching the Michigan Iowa BTT game there was a play at the plate that drew some controversial comments from the TV coverage.

Runner at third, less than 2 outs. Michigan batter hits a fly ball to left which is caught. Runner at third tags up and comes home. Catcher is lines up inside the baseline initially, giving the runner the outside of the line, which is wear he is running.

Just prior to the ball arriving, the catcher slides over in front of the runner and a collision occurs. The ball never appears to be in possession of the catcher and rolls away. The Iowa catcher has to leave the game with a possible concussion.

The umpire ruled the runner safe, a call the TV booth talking heads (one who I think was a former Big Ten player) strongly disagreed with.

The way I saw the play, the runner never had an opportunity to avoid the catcher sliding over in front of him. The best comparison I can come up with is from basketball. If this was a block-charge situation, it would definitely be a blocking call. Given the catcher did not have the ball in his possession, I would see it as an obstruction call as well. (I am also not sure the runner ever touched the plate).

[Rich Ives]

"Just prior to the ball arriving, the catcher slides over in front of the runner"

In NCAA rules (and OBR) a fielder (including the catcher) is permitted to move if he needs to be there to field the ball. Doing so does not create any rule violation.

" the runner never had an opportunity to avoid the catcher sliding over in front of him. "

No such requirement in NCAA rules.

There is a collision rule but you did not post anything describing the contact so I can't comment on any possible violation of it.

[ozzy6900]

Okay, so R3 was declared SAFE. Whether he was or not, whether there was a collision or not, what would an obstruction call give the offense? R3 would be awarded the plate and F2 would still be out of the game due to an injury.

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

"Just prior to the ball arriving, the catcher slides over in front of the runner"

In NCAA rules (and OBR) a fielder (including the catcher) is permitted to move if he needs to be there to field the ball. Doing so does not create any rule violation.

" the runner never had an opportunity to avoid the catcher sliding over in front of him. "

No such requirement in NCAA rules.

There is a collision rule but you did not post anything describing the contact so I can't comment on any possible violation of it.

Actually I did post about a collision, in so far as I said that a "Just prior to the ball arriving, the catcher slides over in front of the runner and a collision occurs. The ball never appears to be in possession of the catcher and rolls away. The Iowa catcher has to leave the game with a possible concussion."

I think this implies pretty well that a substantial collision occurred on the play if it forced the catcher to leave with what is being described as a possible concussion.

I have found a replay of the play from MgoBlue.com

U-M Bests No. 19 Iowa, Moves to Saturday Action in B1G Tourney

Unfortunately this replay doesn't do a good job showing what happened at the plate.

[Rich Ives]

Collisions are NOT illegal. Certain aspects MAY make it illegal but not automatically.

From the NCAA rule book.. Look especially at the underscored parts. Bottom line is that from your description the blame, if there is any to be assigned, belongs on the catcher.

Collision Rule

SECTION 7. The rules committee is concerned about unnecessary and violent
collisions with the catcher at home plate, and with infielders at all bases. The
intent of this rule is to encourage base runners and defensive players to avoid
such collisions whenever possible.

When there is a collision between a runner and a fielder who clearly is in
possession of the ball, the umpire shall judge:

If the defensive player blocks the base (plate) or base line with clear possession
of the ball, the runner may make contact, slide into or make contact with a
fielder as long as the runner is making a legitimate attempt to reach the base
(plate). Contact above the waist that was initiated by the base runner shall not
be judged as an attempt to reach the base or plate.

1) The runner must make an actual attempt to reach the base (plate).
PENALTY—If the runner attempts to dislodge the ball or initiates an
avoidable collision, the runner shall be declared out, even if the
fielder loses possession of the ball. The ball is dead and all other
base runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of
the collision.

2) The runner may not attempt to dislodge the ball from the fielder.
Contact above the waist shall be judged by the umpire as an attempt by
the runner to dislodge the ball.
PENALTY—If the contact is flagrant or malicious before the runner touches
the plate, the runner shall be declared out and also ejected from
the contest. The ball is immediately dead and all other base
runners shall return to the last base touched at the time of the
collision.

3) The runner must attempt to avoid a collision if he can reach the base
without colliding.
PENALTY—If the contact is flagrant or malicious after the runner touches the
base (plate), the runner is safe, but is ejected from the contest.
The ball is immediately dead and all other base runners shall
return to the last base touched at the time of the interference. If
this occurs at any base other than home, the offending team may
replace the runner. If the contact occurs after a preceding runner touches home
plate, the preceding runner is safe. The ball is immediately dead
and all other base runners shall return to the last base touched
at the time of the contact.

4) If the runner’s path to the base is blocked and (1), (2) and (3) are fulfilled,
it is considered unavoidable contact (see Rule 2-54, Obstruction).

[CT1]

It appears from the video that R3 was attempting to score standing up, and the throw pulled F2 into his path.

I got nothing.

[johnnyg08]

Here's the play. We don't have a lot from this angle. But here's the play w/o all of the other stuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm1k...=youtube_gdata

[voiceoflg]

Originally Posted by chapmaja

The ball never appears to be in possession of the catcher...

I bet the catcher didn't appear to be in possession of the ball, either

[bwburke94]

I see no issue with a safe call, considering that the only way to not rule the runner safe (assuming he touched the plate) is to call malicious contact on the runner, which doesn't appear to be the case based on the original poster's description.

I have not seen the play in question.

[chapmaja]

Found a better replay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwU8_R6TntU


This shows the play at the plate from multiple angles including over the top. Start watching about 50 seconds in.

I agree with the umpire, no call but a safe call.

[CoachPaul]

at :57 you have obstruction. He has moved from his proper location in front of the plate to completely block the plate and he has no possession of the ball. The throw was not off line. He could have and should have stayed where he was, caught the ball and swiped the tag on the running going by. He's only allowed to block the plate once he has the ball, unless the throw takes him up the line.

At :58 the ball enters the frame and is about as perfect as a throw can be. It could have easily been handled without the catcher ever adjusting his feet as he did to block the plate. Also, he didn't move up the line to make the play, he only moved to block the plate.

The runner is safe.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by CoachPaul

at :57 you have obstruction. He has moved from his proper location in front of the plate to completely block the plate and he has no possession of the ball. The throw was not off line. He could have and should have stayed where he was, caught the ball and swiped the tag on the running going by. He's only allowed to block the plate once he has the ball, unless the throw takes him up the line.

At :58 the ball enters the frame and is about as perfect as a throw can be. It could have easily been handled without the catcher ever adjusting his feet as he did to block the plate. Also, he didn't move up the line to make the play, he only moved to block the plate.

The runner is safe.

Coach - unlike NFHS, the rule includes "in the act of fielding" at the NCAA level (and the OBR level).

Obstruction
SECTION 55. The act of a fielder who, while not in possession of or in the act
of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner.