jtat32 wrote:Watching the first time, both plays looked really dirty. Watching a few more times, particularly the slow-motion (and pausing to go frame by frame), it wasn't as clear to me anymore. Regardless, the video and this discussion bring up some questions for me:
- The catcher was completely blocking the base line, but since the runners were rounding in both cases, she wasn't completely blocking the base path. In my understanding, IF a play is coming to home, the catcher should set up in a position that takes away part of the plate, but not all of it. Assuming this is correct, is there any rule of thumb for how much to take away? I've always coached it (at all bases) with the goal of playing the tightest defense we can, but trying to stay within the rules and avoid collisions.
Runner is entitled to the whole base/plate, so blocking any portion is OBS if it impedes the runner.
- If the throw beats the runner, are catchers allowed to fully block the plate? I know MLB has changed it's rules on this, but I'm not sure about softball.
Fielders with the ball are entitled to block the base/plate. MLB moved towards softball's rules by not allowing catchers to obstruct or runners to go out of their way to initiate contact., However, MLB still allows collisions if the fielder has the ball and is in the runner's path, which would be crash interference in softball if they remain on their feet.
- Dugout Dad linked another video that shows a runner sliding into the catcher to break up a possible double play. As long as the runner is in the neighborhood of the bag and isn't coming in with the intent to injure, isn't that a clean play?
Runner was retired before going into slide, so it would be INT if catcher had a play on another runner.