Odd Play.

[jmccurry]

Last night I was umpiring a majors game, R1 was advancing home on a play, there was then a play at home and the catcher was blocking the plate with the ball. R1 slid and their legs tangled, causing the catcher to drop the ball. The catcher then bent down and got the ball (while they were still tangled and R1 had not touched home)  and then tagged R1 and I called him out. The team whose player was called out argued that he couldn’t block the plate. However, I explained it to them is as long as the catcher has a play on the ball, he’s able to stay after the ball was knocked out of his glove. That was the right call, correct?
 

[guyinaredhat]

I don't know once he drops it I think his chance to field the ball might be over. I could have obstruction here.  But I'm not sure , sounds like you HTBT.

[jmccurry]

I don't know once he drops it I think his chance to field the ball might be over. I could have obstruction here.  But I'm not sure , sounds like you HTBT.

 

The ball didn't roll far. It was within arms length of him. It was impossible for either of them to get up, as their legs were literally tangled with eachother. It was just a really odd play, had never seen anything like it.

[JaxRolo]

Correct call. But I don't work LL

[jmccurry]

Correct call. But I don't work LL

Alright, thanks! I was about 99% sure it was, so I went with it. Sadly, I have only umpired one high school game this year, I've had around 10 games cancelled, season is still going on, though.

[elares]

I agree with your call.  I would have called it the same in LL.

[Larry in TN]

In LL there is no "in the act of fielding the ball" in the OBS rule like there is in OBR.

 

OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball, impedes the progress of any runner.  A fake tag is considered obstruction. (NOTE: Obstruction shall be called on a defensive player who blocks off a base, base line, or home plate from a base runner while not in possession of the ball.)

 

Sounds like he had possession of the ball when he initially blocked the plate which would be legal.  Never heard of it automatically becoming obstruction when the ball is dropped while they're tangled up.  Wouldn't the defender have to take some additional action after loosing the ball for there to be OBS?

[jmccurry]

They weren't playing LL rules. From my understanding they were playing adapted NFHS rules.

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[noumpere]

Did R1 try to advance to the plate after F2 droppped the ball?  Did F2 just "stay there" blocking R1 (or holding him down, etc.)?

[maven]

As I'm envisioning the play: F2 has the ball and blocks plate, runner slides legally and dislodges ball, F2 retrieves ball and tags runner. F2 is between runner and plate when he retrieves the ball.

 

No way I'd rule OBS there. F2's block was legal, and so was the runner's slide. The slide did not get the runner to the plate. Unless F2 commits some "additional act," such as grabbing the runner, tackling him, jumping on him, or otherwise holding him back, this is nothing.