obstruction by catcher on bunt
 

Need help on this one. In a youth fastpitch tournament game, batter bunts the ball to the right side of the infield. Catcher hustles to make play on the ball, but clearly has no chance for it. She bumps batter/runner (actually she pushes batter/runner from behind and knocks her off stride). Pitcher fields the ball and the runner is out at first. Should this be considered incidental contact, or obstruction?

Based on the fact that you stated the catcher did not have a chance to field the batted ball, she is not afforded that protection. This is obstruction

HTBT..... but, depending on the "severity" (and it wouldn't be much) of the actual push.... I got a brand new catcher coming into the game.