Catcher obstruction

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

The only things relevant in this case are "making an attempt to strike the ball" "hits the catcher's mitt (with her bat)". And of course the conditional enforcement explained by Scott. Probably the same in all books.

Not the inning, not the score, not the count, not the ball/strike call, etc.

True, but in the specific situation presented, the conditional enforcement doesn't matter. If all runners advance safely at least one base, home wins. If not, enforce the CO and home wins.

But, your point is good... sometimes we (and more often, coaches) tend to get sidetracked by red herring issues, such as the argument made by the coach that the batter struck the mitt after the catcher had caught the ball. Doesn't matter, as long as the batter was attempting to strike the ball.

In the end, the correct result happened, but it seemed neither umpire completely understood the CO rule.