ASA Play

[EsqUmp]

While obstruction is not established in the question, it is implied, otherwise there would be no question. There needs to be more details regarding exactly what the catcher does, because the catcher's actions will determine the ruling.

Typically, since there is obstruction and the batter did not safely advance to first base (in addition to all other runners advancing one base), the offensive team has the option to:

1: Take the result of the play - (a) ball or strike on the batter-I hope the umpire called the pitch; and (b) the runner scores; or

2: The batter is awarded 1st base. Because only runners who are forced to advance are awarded a base, the runner is returned to 2nd base (time of pitch).

However, if the catcher stepped on or across home plate without the ball (ball didn't arrive yet) and the batter is prevented from hitting the ball, the ball is dead, the batter is awarded 1st base and only runners who are forced to advance get to advance.

ASA scaled back the language of Rule 10 (without any note as to why) a few years ago. There was a time when Rule 10 stated that no umpire shall impose a penalty for a violation of the offending team would benefit from the imposing that violation. In this case, imposing a penalty (the penalty for catcher's obstruction), would benefit the offending team. There is at least an argument that the penalty should not be imposed at all. That protective rule seems to have escaped the newer rule books though.