Only Umpires Need to Reply

I need an explanation on fielders blocking bases and the plate without the ball. I've watched several D1 college games on TV in the past month and its a good thing their not boys/men playing. It would be ugly.

I saw the Baylor catcher setup three feet up the line against a Texas runner. The runner, knowing you can't slide through the catcher six feet away from the plate or run out of the base line, put her hands out to push her way through and was ejected from the game.

Then I noticed the Arizona SS blocked second base and the runners cleats got caught in her sock which held her from reaching the base.

How is this fair to the runner? How is this safe for the fielder as eventually some one will plant her.

Not asking for opinions or arguments. Just an explanation of the rule before I get tossed from the park. Thanks.

 

Obstruction can be called if the defensive player impedes the runner while not in possesion of the ball or not in the act of fielding a batted or thrown ball.

Depending on the year, obstruction can be a "point of interest" for the umpires. What you will see early in the year is it will be called, but by the time you get late in the season, it is rarely called.

 

I'm not an ump, but I changed in a parking lot once...

As Ben states, obstruction can be called on the defensive player that
impedes a runner's ability to advance to the next base. This happens mostly with the ball not present. Runners are taught to run through infielders who clog up base lines or bases.

Dead ball interference occurs when an offensive player makes any contact with a defensive player that is in the act of fielding a batted or thrown ball. The defensive player must be given access to the ball. It is the umps call whether it is "catchable".

And yes, infielders are taught to go through the runner to the ball...to draw the call... as long as the ball is still in front of them.

Runners are taught to avoid what happened last night in the AZ/Tn game,
by taking their initial lead to the outfield side...thus creating a path behind the charging 2nd baseman. This establishes her baseline, and actually puts her in a better position to slide at the next base, or advance further.
Runner is also responsible for her field of vision. Teaching this correctly will also eliminate the 2b tag DP ( tag em out, throw to first ).

All this contact is part of the collegiate game...