re: Do the umps make this call at Alex Box?

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So if a catcher goes 15 feet up the line to field a ball the runner has to start his slide there? Of course not. The rule is the fielder starts his slide at the appropriate time according to the base. It’s not assuming when the catcher is way up the line And the rule you quoted is for when the catcher has the ball. Does the catcher have the ball?

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The position of the catcher relative to obstruction does not matter until the runner is nearing home plate.

Found this document from the NCAA that fully explains the rule about obstructing. https://unitedumpires.org/pdf/Feb2018-Interpretation.pdf

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To rule on a play at the plate, the umpire needs to take a "mental snapshot" to record the relative positions of the runner, the catcher (fielder), and the throw.

1. Is the runner attempting to score (inside the dirt circle around the plate or within the last few steps in his approach to the plate)?

a. If the answer is "no’', the catcher can be standing anywhere he chooses.
However, a good practice would be for the catcher to always take an initial position not in the baseline until he needs to be there to make a play.
b. If the answer is "yes",', look at the position of the catcher and the throw.

2. Is the catcher in the pathway of the runner?
a. If the answer is "yes" and a runner is attempting to score, he needs to have possession of the ball or be in the act of fielding the throw.
b. If the catcher is doing neither of these and he impedes the progress of the runner, it is obstruction.

3. What is the position of the throw to the plate?
a. If the ball is in flight directly toward and near enough to the fielder (within 60 feet) that the catcher can make a legitimate effort to field the throw, he is in the act of fielding and can be blocking the runner's pathway.
b. If the position of the ball is not within these limits and the catcher impedes the runner's progress, it is obstruction.

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However, a good practice would be for the catcher to always take an initial position not in the baseline until he needs to be there to make a play.

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Wow

We can shut this down then. Good effort mick

“A good practice.” Read the rest

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Boy that was easy. Player carted off field after collision at first base. LINK LINK Feel dumb yet, or shall I keep going? Now explain what the green base hurts? 1/100,000th of a percent of what? Of plays at first base? 1/100,000th of a percent of collisions result in serious injury? Like what is your argument here? I don’t think you know, or understand math.

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You’re a dumbass. The sissy bag would have nothing to do with the defensive player crossing past the base. And yes, baseball is so soft it is making safety rules that may come into play once or twice a year with 100’s of thousands of plays at first base.

But like your china virus shot, if it just saves one…

In order to legally be blocking the plate, it says

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a. If the ball is in flight directly toward and near enough to the fielder (within 60 feet) that the catcher can make a legitimate effort to field the throw, he is in the act of fielding and can be blocking the runner's pathway.

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So while the ball was heading toward him he was legally in position. The exact moment the ball is no longer heading directly toward him he is in an illegal position

This is verbatim from your post of the rule

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Read the whole thing again. Mental snapshot. We’re looking at one moment in time. Where is the runner- last few feet. Where is the catcher-blocking the plate. Where is the throw-in the air coming at the catcher. No obstruction.

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I read the entire thing you posted

The catcher can only be in front of the plate without the ball if the ball is heading directly toward him. Easy as hell to read

Can't block the plate if you don't have the ball.

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ere though BECAUSE he was making a legit effort at fielding the throw.

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The rule doesn’t say

“And also if you were there because you tried to field a legal throw you can be in front of the plate”

It is extremely clear. You can only be in front of the plate without the ball if “the ball is heading directly to you”

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He’s there though BECAUSE he was making a legit effort at fielding the throw.

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I’m not sure how he keeps leaving this out.