What's the correct call?

[coachsara]

Saw this while waiting for my next game last Saturday...

12-under FP

Runner on 3rd coming in to score on a wild pitch beats the toss from the catcher to the pitcher but when the dust clears the PU sees that the runner's foot (never touching the plate) is on top of the pitcher's foot thus calling the runner out.

The offensive coaches argue that it was obstruction.


I believe they were referring to USSSA Rule 9. Section 14.

[Skahtboi]

Obstruction would be a judgement call, which in this case, makes this a HTBT situation. From the info you have given we cannot tell if a) the pitcher blocked the base without possession of the ball, and b)whether or not a tag was ever applied.

If there were no tag in this situation, then I would give a safe sign to simply not tip the defense off that there is still a play which could be made. Now...if the pitcher were to tag the runner with the ball before she touches the plate, then we have an out. Or, if the runner never touches the plate, then we could also have an out on a proper appeal by the defensive team.

If, however, OBS did occur, and that was how the PU ruled, it should have been called immediately when it happened.