Obstruction/Interference- USSSA Fastpitch

[sp279]

Cecil...in Q1 then you are saying the ball MUST be in the catcher's glove? It doesn't matter if the ball is on its way or close? THAT is the main disagreement we have. Many here want us to make that "judgment call" that the catcher had a play on it and it is umpire discretion as to how close. Again, I cited MLB which DOES have that prerogative for U's. However I know several years ago there was a rulings change in this to deter home plate collisions (for HS).

So bottom line you're saying, being it a throw to home(not yet caught) and a bump by the runner it is NOT Interference; but a grounder to the 2ndB where she is hit by the runner IS Interference?

All good, thanks

[MD Longhorn]

The difference here is a batted ball and a thrown ball. There is a different rule regarding a batted ball as opposed to any other ball. On a batted ball, the fielder has the right to field the ball and the runner must avoid (the rule is more intricate than that, but this is the gist of the rule). On any other ball that is not already in the possession of the fielder, the runner has the right to his or her basepath and the fielder must avoid the runner. (NCAA excepted in one case).

[Andy]

The first thing you need to do is get your terminolgy correct.

INTERFERENCE is a violation by the offensive team (batter, runner, on deck batter, etc)

OBSTRUCTION is a violation by the defensive team (pitcher, first baseman, etc.)

USSSA rules treat OBSTRUCTION the same as ASA and HS, the fielder cannot hinder the runner if the fielder does not have possession of the ball.

If the catcher does not have the ball and bumps into a runner it is most likely OBSTRUCTION. It does not matter if a throw is on the way or not. The fielder either has the ball or she doesn't.

The definition of INTERFERENCE is a bit more broad. A fielder is protected if she is in the process of making a play. This includes an infielder waiting to field a ball that is hit toward her. If that fielder can potentially get the ball and make a play and is bumped by a runner, that is most likely INTERFERENCE.

[sp279]

Uhhh..

Thank you Andy...that's pretty much essentially what Longhorn said. I get it.

Thank you Cecil for correcting the mistaken use of INTERFERENCE instead of OBSTRUCTION, subtly.

I am quite confident of my terminologies. I apologize for the grammatical error. I was not under the impression there were site umpires a well. My apologies; Does that count as an out or just a ball?

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by sp279

Cecil...in Q2 then you are saying the ball MUST be in the catcher's glove? It doesn't matter if the ball is on its way or close? THAT is the main disagreement we have. Many here want us to make that "judgment call" that the catcher had a play on it and it is umpire discretion as to how close. Again, I cited MLB which DOES have that prerogative for U's. However I know several years ago there was a rulings change in this to deter home plate collisions (for HS).

So bottom line you're saying, being it a throw to home(not yet caught) and a bump by the runner it is NOT Interference; but a grounder to the 2ndB where she is hit by the runner IS Interference?

All good, thanks

Q2-
Ignore this, except NCAA
"Many here want us to make that "judgment call" that the catcher had a play on it and it is umpire discretion as to how close. ";

especially ignore MLB or any other "B"
"Again, I cited MLB which DOES have that prerogative for U's".

Andy clearly posted what I was trying to say in more organized form.