Catcher obstruction... Men's ASA SP

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Agreen_14

Let me rephrase: The catcher catches the ball while standing in the base bath, makes the tag basically at the same time as the collision.

A fielder in possession of the ball cannot commit obstruction. However, the runner MIGHT have been obstructed before the catcher gained possession - e.g. the runner deviated before the ball arrives, then the ball arrives, then the collision, then the tag. The obstruction (runner deviated due the the catcher being in the way) occurred before the catcher had the ball.

OTOH, if the runner continued running with no deviation or other indication he was impeded (in your judgment), and the catcher catches the ball, then the collision, then the tag, the runner is out.

Also, in this last scenario, if you judge the situation to be "a defensive player has the ball and the runner remains upright and crashes into the defensive player" (ASA 8-7-Q), the ball is dead and the runner is out for interference. However, do note that not all collisions are crashes.