Catcher Obstuction?

[Chance]

It is still catcher obstruction if the batter makes contact will ball first and then catchers glove? I had never seen this happen before but sure enough when I least expected it there it was. Neither coach seemed to offer any complaint as the game was a rout and was about to end with mercy rule. However I would still have liked to got the call correct. I did not call anything as I was unsure about it because the ball was contacted first. The ball was fouled off. Currently at work and do not have the rule book with me.

AC

[Umpire in Chief]

If the batter makes contact with the catcher's glove after contact I'd still call.

Not doubting your experience but I cant picture the situation. It seems that the catchers glove would have to be out infront of the ball to hit the ball then the glove, but in baseball strange things happen.

[fbara]

Maybe on the backswing it hit the catcher's glove?

[BrianC14]

Maybe on the backswing it hit the catcher's glove?

That would be nothing, but I don't think that's what Chance is describing here...

I can't picture how it's possible for a ball to be hit first and then the mitt, though... but as UIC says, even if that were to happen, I'd still call it.

[Chance]

It was a LHP vs LH batter. Pitcher with a nasty slurve (slider/curve). Pitch is coming in at his hands and just turning across the plate. When batter swung the pitch was basically on top of him, swing was extreamly late, right off the handle very close to his hands. Well the catcher who was set up in the middle of the plate was reaching outside to catch the pitch. I know its hard to imagine but its even harder to explain. HTBT to see it. Batter was off balance when he swung which caused him to finish his swing like he was reaching out for the ball. And that is when he contacted the glove, after contact with the ball. Like i said in the OP, never seen it before and was unsure weather or not to call obstruction.

[JaxRolo]

Maybe on the backswing it hit the catcher's glove?

So are we playing golf here?

I cant see it happening

[catoblue]

I'd call it if I saw it - hard to picture, but strange things happen all the time in baseball. Not to be a nit picker, but it is called "Catcher Interference" or CI, not catcher OBS. It's the one time the defense can do something which has the word interference associated with it.

[BrianC14]

It was a LHP vs LH batter. Pitcher with a nasty slurve (slider/curve). Pitch is coming in at his hands and just turning across the plate. When batter swung the pitch was basically on top of him, swing was extreamly late, right off the handle very close to his hands. Well the catcher who was set up in the middle of the plate was reaching outside to catch the pitch. I know its hard to imagine but its even harder to explain. HTBT to see it. Batter was off balance when he swung which caused him to finish his swing like he was reaching out for the ball. And that is when he contacted the glove, after contact with the ball. Like i said in the OP, never seen it before and was unsure weather or not to call obstruction.

It's in on his hands and he's reaching out for it.

You're right - that is hard to picture.

The bottom line is the catcher interfered (obstructed) his swing.

Send him to first if he didn't already reach safely.

[Mr Umpire]

I agree it is CI.

Hard to imagine but I believe I understand the events you are describing. Batter hits an inside pitch which he can't even extend his arms on b/c it is a late swing, probably more of a defensive one. He only moves his hands mainly. Then, after contacting the ball and fouling it off toward 3B side since it is a LH batter, his bat hits the glove. That is what it sounds like the play is like.

Though I haven't seen contact with the glove on this type of swing, I would call CI b/c who knows if the contact preventing any follow through had an effect on the swing. And, it would be very difficult to distinguish if the bat was still in contact with the ball at the time of contact and thus affecting the batter's chance at hitting the ball into fair territory.

[JaxRolo]

I agree it is CI.

Hard to imagine but I believe I understand the events you are describing. Batter hits an inside pitch which he can't even extend his arms on b/c it is a late swing, probably more of a defensive one. He only moves his hands mainly. Then, after contacting the ball and fouling it off toward 3B side since it is a LH batter, his bat hits the glove. That is what it sounds like the play is like.

Though I haven't seen contact with the glove on this type of swing, I would call CI b/c who knows if the contact preventing any follow through had an effect on the swing. And, it would be very difficult to distinguish if the bat was still in contact with the ball at the time of contact and thus affecting the batter's chance at hitting the ball into fair territory.

Very Well put.

Now I can imagine how it could somehow happen and I agree it is CI

[Chance]

I agree it is CI.

Hard to imagine but I believe I understand the events you are describing. Batter hits an inside pitch which he can't even extend his arms on b/c it is a late swing, probably more of a defensive one. He only moves his hands mainly. Then, after contacting the ball and fouling it off toward 3B side since it is a LH batter, his bat hits the glove. That is what it sounds like the play is like.

Though I haven't seen contact with the glove on this type of swing, I would call CI b/c who knows if the contact preventing any follow through had an effect on the swing. And, it would be very difficult to distinguish if the bat was still in contact with the ball at the time of contact and thus affecting the batter's chance at hitting the ball into fair territory.

That is exactly what happened. Batter was so late swinging it was almost as if he swung down on the ball to contact it and then hit the glove. I didnt make the call because contact with the glove occured after contact with the ball. If this ever occurs again, which I extreamly doubt, although stranger things have happened I will be sure to call it due to the fact as you stated it could effect his follow through.

Everything I see in my rules book and also online states that it is referred to as catchers obstruction. NFHS rules book.?? Looks like NFHS is the only book to use this:question1:

[DirtyDawg]

Isn't this a DDB situation?

I have + :banghead:

[Mr Umpire]

Isn't this a DDB situation?

I have +

Yes in OBR. Since it was a foul ball, BR gets 1B and all runners advance if forced by the batter.

[yawetag]

I'd call it if I saw it - hard to picture, but strange things happen all the time in baseball. Not to be a nit picker, but it is called "Catcher Interference" or CI, not catcher OBS. It's the one time the defense can do something which has the word interference associated with it.

In Fed, It's called cather obstruction:

8-1-1e: "the catcher or any other defensive player obstructs him."

8.1.1e: "F2 obstructs B3 but he hits..."

8.1.1f: "RULING: It is catcher obstruction..."

There are others.

[catoblue]

In Fed, It's called cather obstruction:

8-1-1e: "the catcher or any other defensive player obstructs him."

8.1.1e: "F2 obstructs B3 but he hits..."

8.1.1f: "RULING: It is catcher obstruction..."

There are others.

I should have known it was Fed... :smachhead: