OBSTRUCTION
QUESTION: In high school, baseball and softball, no runners on base; catcher’s mitt tips the batter’s bat as the batter grounds to the shortstop who throws to the first base person to retire the batter-runner.
Plate umpire correctly gives the delayed dead ball signal allowing the play to develop. At the end of playing action, plate umpire signals time and calls offensive coach over to discuss options. The choices given: to accept the result of the play (out), accept the award for obstruction (first base) or have the batter bat over assuming the count prior to the obstruction. Are these the proper choices?
ANSWER: The first two choices are proper; having the batter bat again is not a choice. Offensive coach will choose to accept the award. Catcher’s obstruction is often referred to as catcher’s interference. (BB- Rule 8, Sec. 1, Art. 1 e) (SB-Rule 8, Sec. 4, Art. 3 a).
QUESTION: Base runner is advancing toward home plate as the catcher is blocking the plate without the ball. Is this obstruction?
ANSWER: Yes, obstruction is the call and runner will be awarded home. If runner deliberately crashed into the catcher in an effort to touch the plate, this malicious contact would supercede obstruction. Runner would be called out and ejected for flagrant action. Run would not score. (BB- Rule 8, Sec. 4, Art. 2 e) (SB- Rule 8, Sec. 6, Art. 14).