As briefly as possible:
Single to leftfield play at the plate. Catcher is standing on the 3rd base line waiting for throw, runner slows (considerably) and heads into fair territory to avoid, catcher receives throw steps into fair territory pursing runner, who is now in front of home plate, and tags runner as he is moving toward home plate - virtually straight from the pitchers mound. Umpire calls the runner out.
I ask why no obstruction and initial answer is catcher was in the act of making a play. I tell him Fed rule has been changed this year and he can't do that. He then says in his judgment there was "some" room to go to the corner of the plate (I completely disagree but that is his judgment mine doesn't matter). Specific question - can the catcher/fielder block most of the plate or must he leave the base open if he does not have the ball.
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