Umpire Decision? Right or Wrong?

I would assume a little common sense on the part of the runner would help here. If there isn't a play at the plate, run around the catcher, avoid contact, and avoid the entire situation. Easiest way for all involved. The only time a baserunner should try to initiate contact with a fielder is if he's caught up in a run down, which would then be ruled interference on the defensive player and the runner advances a base...assuming the player they ran into didn't have the ball!

 

The problem with this play is that in high school umpire clinics we we told there was a special point of emphasis on obstruction this year.

They told us that any fielder that is not in possesion of the ball is obstructing if he is waiting on a throw and is in the way. So, in this instance, technically the catcher is obstructing home by being in the basepath without the ball. This does not, however give the runner the right to "plow" him over maliciously. If he did so, he should be declared out and disqualified from the contest. If he simply "ran into" the catcher in an attempt to score, then the catcher should be called for obstruction and the runner should be awarded home. Again, like many of you have said - you would have to see it to be able to determine whether or not there was malicious contact.

 

Interference or Malicious Contact?

Run around the catcher. One of two things can occur on the play:

- If the catcher obstructs the runner then Rule 8-3 clearly states that "When a runner is obstructed while advancing...to a base by a fielder who does not have the ball...the umpire shall award the obstructed runner and each other runner affected by the obstruction the bases they would have reached."
Therefore, the runner is safe at home.

Because the kid chose to take the catcher out, the second part of rule 8-3 should be applied:
Rule 8-3 Article 2 states "Malicious contact supersedes obstruction."
Therrefore, the runner is out, no run scores, and the runner is ejected.

 

This is one of those rules where no ones wins because sorry for you umpires out there you are left with a situation where IMO a clear interpretation of the rules is not there.

I know the rule is so nobody gets injured and I agree malicious contact should be avoided but how do you tell a kid who is trying to score a winning run not to try to score. He should not have to think about it running over the catcher or not.

Right now the catcher can block the plate with a play at the plate so the batter is forced to slide to either side and back touch the plate. Yesterday we had 2 bad slides at home and 2 kids about broke ankles sliding into shin guards. Another kid goes head first into home. All 3 safe but that play without allowing forceful contact to protect the runner is out of line. This is my opinion and sorry you won't change it. Seen to many instances of catchers blocking the plate without the ball or a play and knees going out on runners, twisted ankles etc. If the catcher can stand there then he better get out of the way!

My solution. No head first sliding into home. If catchers are in the baseline without the ball, get them out of the way. We allow it in rundowns but not plays at the plate. Catchers are tough and have on equipment. This rule needs to change. It happens every year where one of these plays results in someone losing a game for being TOO aggresive. Note I did not say trying to hurt someone, but simply playing the game as intended. TO SCORE!

 

Memo to all umpires/coaches

If there is obstruction of a runner in a rundown: the award is one base (next base) from the base he was at... even....if he is heading back to his base.

If a pitch bounces off the backstop and rolls into the dugout: the runners only are awarded one base...not two.

Umps got both these calls wrong yesterday at the Tarboro Easter Tourney. Both coaches "bought" whatever the ump said to them!!

 

I am surprised about a no slide rule in hs baseball(Braves is this correct?)...No run down in effect here(look at first scenerio)..runner is advancing on a base hit, catcher is 10 feet up the line...clean base hit. Why not take a step inside, outside and go around, the winning run scores. Malicious contact is dirty baseball. Shoes on the other foot if your son is the catcher. I am not an umpire but based upon what I see in the first post, the runner is out, suspended from play, and suspended from the next game. Scrimmage or not. He clearly tried to injury the catcher of the opposing team.

 

Here you go......
Offensive interference
The most common incidence of interference is when a member of the offensive team physically hinders the defensive team, decreasing their chances to make an out or increasing the chance that a baserunner will advance. Whenever this offensive interference occurs, the ball becomes dead. If the interference was committed by a batter or a baserunner, that player is called out and all other runners must return to the bases they occupied at the time of the interference. If interference is committed by a runner with the obvious intent of preventing a double play, the batter-runner will be called out in addition to the runner who committed the interference. If interference is committed by the batter-runner before he reaches first base with the possible intent of preventing a double play, the runner closest to scoring is called out in addition to the batter-runner. If interference is committed by a retired runner or by some other member of the offensive team, the runner who is most likely to have been put out will be called out.
Under little league (LL), high school (NFHS) and college (NCAA) rules, if interference is committed by a runner with the effect of preventing a likely double play, regardless of his intent, the batter-runner will be called out in addition to the runner who committed the interference. Also under LL and NFHS rules only, all runners are required to attempt to avoid collisions; if a runner fails to do so, he is guilty of malicious contact, which is one kind of offensive interference. Malicious contact carries the additional penalty of ejection from the game. In addition to the general subjective definition of offensive interference, it is also interference by specific rule when[2]:

• The bat hits the ball a second time in fair territory, such as while the bat is being dropped;
• A batter or runner intentionally deflects the course of a batted ball in any manner;
• A member of the offensive team stands near a base to impersonate a baserunner or to otherwise confuse or hinder the defense;
• A coach physically assists a runner in returning to or leaving first or third base;
• A batter is struck by a ball thrown from the home plate area while running to first base with a foot entirely outside the three-foot running lane, before the batter reaches first base;
• A runner makes contact with a batted ball that did not go through or by a fielder, unless no infielder had a chance to immediately field the ball (in this instance, the runner is out and the batter is credited with a base hit);
• A runner makes contact with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball, except the batter with the catcher in the immediate vicinity of home plate immediately after the ball was batted; or
• A member of the offensive team intentionally touches a thrown ball, or intentionally hinders a fielder attempting to make a throw.

There are some exceptions to the penalty for offensive interference.

• If there are fewer than two outs and a runner is trying to score, and the batter interferes with the tag attempt at home plate, then the runner is out for the batter's interference, while the batter is not out. If there are two outs in this situation, the normal interference penalty applies: the batter is out and the run does not score.
• The major exception is when a runner is attempting to score and the catcher has control of the ball; if the catcher is in the path between third base and home plate, the baserunner may strike the catcher with his body in an attempt to dislodge the ball from the catcher's hand. This is usually only attempted when the play is close; when the catcher is set up and ready, the runner has little chance of knocking the ball away and a significant chance of injuring himself.

Mine has been taught that if you have the ball, get low, hand on the ball in the glove and do your job. IMO: I think that the days of the old take out the catcher should be over. It does nothing more than cause injuries to possiably both players and ill feelings that result in other things happening on the field that have no place there.

 

Couple of points

You bring up great points and I agree and see where you are coming from on most. Some I think that the way some are written leaves for some open discussion. But, if I read and take it all in you are wanting to protect the player. That is what it all comes down to.

 

I do not like this rule

None of my comments will change this rule, but this is how I feel.

I have a problem with a rule that involves a judgment to determine if something is malicious. Other than the runner, who really knows what the intent was. I would rather the judgment be determining if the runner would have been safe, had the catcher had not been blocking the plate. I believe that contact, other than a slide, should be avoided.

Yes, catchers are tough and it is a demanding position but that's what makes them special. Try catching 7 innings in 97 degree heat without even taking one off the shoulder or inner thigh and most would be begging for the outfield. Oh, and the equipment that is made to protect the catcher from a bounced ball or a foul tip. That equipment is not made to protect him from being blindsided by a (at times a 190+ lb) guy, running full speed, while the catcher is concentrating on catching the ball. That would be FOOTBALL and their equipment is better suited to that environment. I also believe that the size of the catcher increases / decreases the chances of a collision. Do you really want to score that run and win the game? Maybe not quite as bad on the catcher that is 6'2" and 235 lb, think I'll try to slide by and reach back for the plate. Small catcher = Open Season.

And last, I've known of three collisions. The first player had amnesia for three months, the second a broken eye socket and the third was my son who has a plate and six screws in his left arm. All three were avoidable. IMO, even the game winning run is not worth the safety of my son or yours; especially at the High School level. I know my son completely disagrees with what I've written, but some things are still more precious than winning. So if you want to be Pete Rose and take out Ray Fosse, have at it. I'll say a prayer that everyone comes away with just a few bumps and bruises.

 

Great Post. But you forgot that catchers have something that no one can teach. Mine with the ball would face down a truck he thinks it is his plate. As I'm sure yours does.