Hurdling The Catcher

[Mad Mike]

So, I see this little gem on the Internet. Apparently, a BR coming home on a batted ball hurdles the catcher. The catcher receives the throw about 5 feet in front of the plate, catches the ball just before the BR gets there, and proceeds to hurdle the catcher. I can't tell from the video (it runs out) if the umpire calls him out or safe. The accompanying article does not mention the action being illegal. Now in FED the rules reads:

 

"Runners are never required to slide, but if a runner elects to slide, the slide must be legal. (2-32-1, 2) Jumping, hurdling, and leaping are all legal attempts to avoid a fielder as long as the fielder is lying on the ground. Diving over a fielder is illegal" "PENALTY: The runner is out, the ball is dead immediately, and interference is called. ..." (NFHS 8-4-2-b-2)

 

Here is the link to the 14 second video. Take a look and discuss. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=4RpXtHWrt-A

 

 

How about OBR? Is this legal in OBR and could a manager make a successful argument the BR was simply trying to avoid contact so he hurdled the catcher at the last moment?

 

 

[HeadHunterLA]

I don't care what the rule book says, I'm scoring that run!

[noumpere]

Legal in OBR and NCAA

 

Illegal in FED if he jumped over the catcher but legal if he jumped over the catchers arms or if the catcher had been laying on the ground.

 

Don't know about LL, PONY, Babe Ruth, USSSA, Cal Ripken, AAU, ect.

[DP26]

http://www.davisenterprise.com/media-post/john-ariola-and-hayden-duer-dhs-baseball-vs-franklin-playoff-photos/attachment/0521dhsbase2w/

 

A 3BLXish angle which corroborates the video as to whether or not it was "over" the catcher...

[maven]

Based on the photo, I'd have that runner out in a FED game. The runner pretty clearly intended to go over where he expected F2 to be. Still images aren't conclusive, but if he's just trying to get around F2 why would he go airborne?

 

[JHSump]

Very athletic move by the runner!

 

NFHS: Very "Out"!

 

What was the ruling?

[Mad Mike]

I have no idea on the ruling. However, here is another clip of a Fordham player doing a superman leap over the catcher. I presume Fordham is college? (NCAA) So, this would be legal. 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61LReht9OyU&feature=player_embedded

 

 

One side note: I don't like the home plate umpire's position on this one: 1) He is moving too much, 2) I believe he would have had a better angle to see a tag on the 3BX.

 

PS...pay no attention to the on-set announcers they are clueless.