I had a situation which broad up a lot of discussions. ISF Rules, but I guess ASA is the same:

Bases Loaded. Batter bunts and F3 fields it. Catcher stands in front of and partly on the plate for the force out. F3 however races the runner to the plate.

I am PU and only watch the feet to try to figure out which pair belongs to whom. F3 beets runner for the force out. But runner also steps on the plate.

Coach than comes out and wants obstruction against the catcher called since she was not in possession of the ball and the runner had to hesitate, which was the reason F3 was late.

Now here come the questions:
a) When does the catcher has to leave the plate area? How late is still ok?
b) How much space is enough for the runner at the plate?
c) Who should call obstruction if it was one?

Thanks

Raoul

The catcher never has to leave the plate area. Obstruction has nothing to do with a defender's presence, but everything to do with how their presence affects the runner's access to their basepath.

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b) How much space is enough for the runner at the plate?

There is no specific answer to this question. It still comes down to the player affecting the runner's path.

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c) Who should call obstruction if it was one?

Whichever umpire sees it. I don't think there is anything prettier than all the umpires on the field seeing and calling an obstruction simultaneously.



[Edited by IRISHMAFIA on Apr 23rd, 2004 at 11:55 AM]

Speaking ASA...

If the umpire judgment agrees with this (i.e. runner slowed down becuase of a defender without the ball in her basepath), that is obstruction. The runner is not obligated to use the part of the plate the defender "gives" them. The runner is allowed to chose their own base path.