Skip to main content

15 replies

New HS rule on obstruction

Rob KremerRob Kremer1,000+ posts
OK, I want to hear from the umpires.

The new rule that went into effect this year on obstruction. I think it was mostly for plays at the plate, which said the catcher has to have the ball in hand before he can block the plate, and changed it from "arrival imminent."

Are you enforcing that rule? Have you used it to call guys safe a lot?

In my experience this year so far, my son (a catcher) sets up the same way he always did, and if it gets called, it gets called. So far only once has it been called. At least five plays this year the runner slid into his shin before the ball got there, he caught, tagged and got the out.

So in my experience so far, the umpires generally have not changed the way they call the play at the plate.

How about you guys?
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Jimmy03Jimmy031,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Rob Kremer:
Does it matter if the catcher leaves the back part of the plate unobstructed?


FED is silent on what constitutes "denying the runner access to the base." They leave it up to umpire judgment.

In my areas, the interpretation is that the runner is entitled to a portion of the leading edge of the base. Forcing him to reach around or run around a fielder without the ball is, in my view, obstruction.

You are a bit off as to why it was redefined. The intent was to take care of obstruction issues on pick-off plays, primarily at first. However, it applies equally at all bases.

Umpires who do not call the rule as instructed either do not understand the rule, or, in my opinon, are cowards.
Rob KremerRob Kremer1,000+ posts
quote:
You are a bit off as to why it was redefined. The intent was to take care of obstruction issues on pick-off plays, primarily at first.

Interesting, I didn't know that. My counsel to my son was to keep making the plays as he always has, because there isn't really any downside.

But the rule does take some excitement out of the play at the plate. Just tonight, for example, in my son's game, there was a squeeze bunt which went toward the pitcher. The kid made a great play, gloved the ball and in the same motion tossed it wiht his glove to my son, who was set up at the plate. Runner slid into his shin guard as he tagged, got the out.

As the rule is now written that runner was safe. No question in my mind. There is no way anyone could think my kid had the ball in hand before he was in front of the plate.

If the interpretation is that he can't block any portion of the plate, in my view that is a shame. The play at the plate is the most exciting play in baseball. I think it is a shame that the rules would act to take the excitement out of it.

Please understand - the umpires are not the issue here. You guys have a tough job. You try to call the situations and apply the rule, whatever it is.
Jimmy03Jimmy031,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Rob Kremer:
The kid made a great play, gloved the ball and in the same motion tossed it wiht his glove to my son, who was set up at the plate. Runner slid into his shin guard as he tagged, got the out.

As the rule is now written that runner was safe. No question in my mind. There is no way anyone could think my kid had the ball in hand before he was in front of the plate.

If the interpretation is that he can't block any portion of the plate, in my view that is a shame. The play at the plate is the most exciting play in baseball. I think it is a shame that the rules would act to take the excitement out of it.

Please understand - the umpires are not the issue here. You guys have a tough job. You try to call the situations and apply the rule, whatever it is.


The FED rule is nearly the same as NCAA. Get block a base without possession of the ball. OBR is not that dissimilar if it were enforced as written. Some umpires take great liberty with the concept of "the throw took him into the baseline." That interp was meant to cover throws that were gloved, not any throw.

By the way, throwing a glove with the ball inside is illegal in FED.
Jimmy03Jimmy031,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Jimmy03:
quote:
Originally posted by Rob Kremer:
The kid made a great play, gloved the ball and in the same motion tossed it wiht his glove to my son, who was set up at the plate. Runner slid into his shin guard as he tagged, got the out.

As the rule is now written that runner was safe. No question in my mind. There is no way anyone could think my kid had the ball in hand before he was in front of the plate.

If the interpretation is that he can't block any portion of the plate, in my view that is a shame. The play at the plate is the most exciting play in baseball. I think it is a shame that the rules would act to take the excitement out of it.

Please understand - the umpires are not the issue here. You guys have a tough job. You try to call the situations and apply the rule, whatever it is.


The FED rule is nearly the same as NCAA. Get block a base without possession of the ball. OBR is not that dissimilar if it were enforced as written. Some umpires take great liberty with the concept of "the throw took him into the baseline." That interp was meant to cover throws that were gloved, not any throw.

And the rule was never intended to allow a catcher to camp out blocking the plate in hopes the throw would arrive in time.

By the way, throwing a glove with the ball inside is illegal in FED.
LM larry mealerMember
quote:
Originally posted by Rob Kremer:
quote:
You are a bit off as to why it was redefined. The intent was to take care of obstruction issues on pick-off plays, primarily at first.

Interesting, I didn't know that. My counsel to my son was to keep making the plays as he always has, because there isn't really any downside.

But the rule does take some excitement out of the play at the plate. Just tonight, for example, in my son's game, there was a squeeze bunt which went toward the pitcher. The kid made a great play, gloved the ball and in the same motion tossed it wiht his glove to my son, who was set up at the plate. Runner slid into his shin guard as he tagged, got the out.

As the rule is now written that runner was safe. No question in my mind. There is no way anyone could think my kid had the ball in hand before he was in front of the plate.

If the interpretation is that he can't block any portion of the plate, in my view that is a shame. The play at the plate is the most exciting play in baseball. I think it is a shame that the rules would act to take the excitement out of it.

Please understand - the umpires are not the issue here. You guys have a tough job. You try to call the situations and apply the rule, whatever it is.
LM larry mealerMember
quote:
Originally posted by larry mealer:
quote:
Originally posted by Rob Kremer:
quote:
You are a bit off as to why it was redefined. The intent was to take care of obstruction issues on pick-off plays, primarily at first.

Interesting, I didn't know that. My counsel to my son was to keep making the plays as he always has, because there isn't really any downside.

But the rule does take some excitement out of the play at the plate. Just tonight, for example, in my son's game, there was a squeeze bunt which went toward the pitcher. The kid made a great play, gloved the ball and in the same motion tossed it wiht his glove to my son, who was set up at the plate. Runner slid into his shin guard as he tagged, got the out.

As the rule is now written that runner was safe. No question in my mind. There is no way anyone could think my kid had the ball in hand before he was in front of the plate.

If the interpretation is that he can't block any portion of the plate, in my view that is a shame. The play at the plate is the most exciting play in baseball. I think it is a shame that the rules would act to take the excitement out of it.

Please understand - the umpires are not the issue here. You guys have a tough job. You try to call the situations and apply the rule, whatever it is.
It sounds like you are saying that since the catcher is bigger and stronger , with all his gear on should be able to keep the runner from the plate until the ball gets to him , is that what you are saying?
Jimmy03Jimmy031,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by coach2709:
Thanks MST for the info. What is the reasoning for this ruling?


Believe it or not, the orginal argument for this was to remain consistent within the rules....ball lodged in equipment. The play is actually killed when the umpire believes the ball is lodged...supposedly before the glove is tossed.

Add Reply

Post
.

Membership Required

We're sorry. You must be signed in to continue. Sign In or Register
×
Are you sure you want to remove from your Block List?
×
Loading...
×
When you block a person, they can no longer invite you to a private message or post to your profile wall. Replies and comments they make will be collapsed/hidden by default. Finally, you'll never receive email notifications about content they create or likes they designate for your content.
Note: if you proceed, you will no longer be following .
×
Advanced Search
Advanced Search
Link copied to your clipboard.
×