catcher's obstruction

[WestMichBlue]

I did some studying tonight - NFHS Rule and Case Book, ASA Rules and POE (don't have ASA Case Book) - and these are my conclusions.

#1 - Rules 8 in both books are 90% identical. So rules defining runner obs and catcher obs are the same. Actions and penalties are the same.

#2 - ASA POE 35 states, for both types of OBS, that dead ball is called when the obstructed player is called out. Then any other runners will either be advanced to the next base, or returned to the last base touched, using a "half-way" rule.

#3 - NFHS Case Book agrees with this for obstructed runners (only).

#4 - NFHS Case Book section on CO says to let the play run to conclusion before calling dead ball (even though the runner was out earlier).

Two situations.

A) R1 on 2B, batted ball into outfield, B-R obstructed by F3 and is put out at 2B. Call dead ball and protect B-R to 2B. If R1 had rounded 3B and was more than half-way home when umpire called dead ball, she is sent home. ASA or NFHS - same call.

B) R1 on 3B, R2 on 1B, 1 out, 2 strikes. Obstructed batter missed 3rd strike; F2 missed ball. ASA - batter is out and Dead Ball called. B-R awarded 1B, R2 forced to 2B, and because R1 probably was not half-way home when ball become dead, she is sent back to 3B.

NFHS - Batter is called out, but play continues while F2 chases ball and R1 comes home and F1 comes to make a play. Assume R1 safe, then call dead ball - and call out the offensive coach. Option: take the play (run scores, batter out, R2 now on 2B) or take the penalty (B-R to 1B, R2 forced to 2B, R1 returned to 3B).

Potentially big differences in outcome for CO in ASA vs NFHS.

WMB