Catcher Obstruction

[Ran.D]

These CO calls have been dogging me lately, had this situation last weekend:

Close game, 1 out, runners on 1st and third. Batter hits a dribbler to first and is thrown out. Runner on 3B scores.

Plate ump calls catcher obstruction (bat hit glove), awards runner 1st, and sends runner back to third.

Correct?

[tcannizzo]

That is an incorrect ruling.

If the run scores, the BR is out.
If BR comes back to bat (Deleted) is awarded 1B (Inserted), R1 goes back to 3B.
But you would never put R1 back on 3B and BR on 1B. AND it is the manager's decision, not the umpire.


2. If the batter-runner hits the ball and does not reach first base safely and
all other runners do not advance at least one base.
EFFECT: The manager has the option to take the result of the play, or
enforcement of obstruction by awarding the batter first base and advancing
all runners if forced.

Edited as a result of a keyboard malfuncion

[ukumpire]

Yep Tony's cracked it on the head ... Manager's Choice

[Paddy]

Originally Posted by tcannizzo

That is an incorrect ruling.

If the run scores, the BR is out.
If BR comes back to bat, R1 goes back to 3B.
But you would never put R1 back on 3B and BR on 1B. AND it is the manager's decision, not the umpire.


2. If the batter-runner hits the ball and does not reach first base safely and
all other runners do not advance at least one base.
EFFECT: The manager has the option to take the result of the play, or
enforcement of obstruction by awarding the batter first base and advancing
all runners if forced.

Tony,
am I reading your post wrong or are you contradicting yourself.
You are talking about getting the batter back at bat in the beginning of you post, but that is not possible according to your own quote at the bottom.

My understanding is that its the managers choice what to do, but the batter will have completed his at bat at that moment.

So in this case the manager has one of two choices.
Number 1. Accept the out and let the run score or
Number 2. Batter gets first, Runner from first will get second and the runner on third will stay there.


Patrick

[ukumpire]

Yeah actually I also read that wrong Paddy. The batter is either out or on 1B depending on the managers choice.

[tcannizzo]

Originally Posted by Paddy

Tony,
am I reading your post wrong or are you contradicting yourself.
You are talking about getting the batter back at bat in the beginning of you post, but that is not possible according to your own quote at the bottom.

My understanding is that its the managers choice what to do, but the batter will have completed his at bat at that moment.

So in this case the manager has one of two choices.
Number 1. Accept the out and let the run score or
Number 2. Batter gets first, Runner from first will get second and the runner on third will stay there.
Patrick

You are correct. My keyboard completley malfunctioned. Batter is either OUT or at 1B.
I have gone back and edited the OP.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Paddy

Tony,
am I reading your post wrong or are you contradicting yourself.
You are talking about getting the batter back at bat in the beginning of you post, but that is not possible according to your own quote at the bottom.

My understanding is that its the managers choice what to do, but the batter will have completed his at bat at that moment.

So in this case the manager has one of two choices.
Number 1. Accept the out and let the run score or
Number 2. Batter gets first, Runner from first will get second and the runner on third will stay there.


Patrick

Speaking ASA

I believe Patrick is correct. CO is a delayed dead ball and is in effect unless ALL runners advance one base and the BR attains first safely. In the OP, this did not happen.

The manager then has the option of accepting the play (including all the runs and outs which occured during the play) or the enforcement of the CO which, as stated by rule, only allows runners who are forced to advance.

However, I smell a possible rule change proposal here.

[Paddy]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

However, I smell a possible rule change proposal here.

Mike,

Why/How should this rule be changed ?

[mcrowder]

If I was writing the rule, ALL runners would advance 1 base if the manager chose to accept the penalty instead of the play.

[whiskers_ump]

Originally Posted by Paddy

Mike,

Why/How should this rule be changed ?

Not Mike however;

I would like to see the manager get the options of bringing the batter back to the plate with the originial count before that pitch. This could be your
top hitter. She was negated an opportunity to hit the ball, give her that
chance.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Paddy

Mike,

Why/How should this rule be changed ?

Like outs on a BOO protest, I would allow an offended team to keep any advance by the runners whether the manager accepted the play or enforcement of the CO.

I would not allow a "do-over". Don't particularly believe in them.

BTW, anytime a manger brings their big batter back to the plate, I'm walking him/her intentionally.