Friday, March 13, 2009
Thursday is now... What's the call Thursdays!
So perhaps a great way to keep this thing going is perhaps have themed days. So we are starting...What's the call Thursdays. Thanks to Paul sending this out to a few of us we can discuss. So...Whats the call?
Please comment and explain
your reasons. Thanks
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This is a really weird play. I like it though, it forced me to have to think about it a little closer! I'll hold off on my answer and try and let some of the rookies answer before I post mine.
ReplyDeleteInterference by the pitcher. The runner is safe at first.
ReplyDeleteRemember the defense obstructs, the offense interferes. So it would be obstruction by the pitcher. If that is the correct call. Did the pitcher lose the right to fielding the call by misplaying it and leading to the obstruction or is he still protected causing this to be interference by the runner? Any opinions?
ReplyDeleteI think this is a pretty weird play but in my opinion the ruling isn't too dificult.
ReplyDelete1.) The first play on the ball is when the pitcher kicks at the ball deflecting it towards foul territory.
1st call-- Fair ball
2.) No, with the second attempt on the play the pitcher runs into the runner.
2nd call-- Obstruction on the pitcher.
Ruling-- the batter is not out and is placed on first base. Other runners (if any) would be awarded bases if forced, but since this is delayed dead ball (high school rule) they can still move.
Mike Davidson
I am right there with you. Strange play, I watched it a couple of times to make sure I saw it correctly. I have obstruction on the pitcher. After the play is over the B/R is awarded 1st base and any other base runners would move up 1 base if forced. All other runners(i.e. if not forced) would be returned to the base at time of pitch.
ReplyDeleteKevin Rice
I've got nothing. The Umpire got it right. The kick by the pitcher is nothing. The Pitcher is attempting to field the ball to make a play defined as "directly toward or near enough". The runner is legitimately in the runners lane, hence no interference. This is incidental contact. The runner is out on the force at first.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Mike on this. I would call obstruction on the pitcher. The first play was the ball off the foot of the pitcher. Therefore, the pitcher needs to avoid the runner when making his play on the ball, as he is only "protected" on the first play.
ReplyDeleteFed Rule 8-4-2, G states, ANY RUNNER IS OUT WHEN HE: intentionally hinders a fielder on his initial attempt to field a batted ball.
ReplyDeleteFurther it states; A fielder is not protected if he misplays the ball and has to move from his original position.
G#1 States; If a fielder "drops a batted ball" and contact with a Batter-runner occurs during subsequent attempt to field the ball, the fielder has the greater reponsibility to avoid contact.
Obstruction should be ruled, Safe at first, runners advance to the base the umpire felt they would have reached had the obtruction not occured.
Good discussion. Len Burns sent me this video. This is such a weird play, it couldn't even be simulated at pro school...thanks Len. The key to a decision on this play is the kicking of the ball by the pitcher. Is this an attempt to field the ball? If so, he is chasing his deflection. When a fielder deflects a batted ball, the original fielder is at risk of obstruction (only another fielder who is chasing the deflection is protected).
ReplyDeleteIn this example, the leg kick has to be considered an attempt to field the ball, just as a third baseman will often take a ground ball off his chest, recover, and thrown out the batter-runner. So...this has to be obstruction.
Of course, this is much easier for us after several replays. This poor guy may never see this play again, but will live in infamy on YouTube.
Watching this play a couple of times I would have to say obstruction on the pitcher because the ball wasn't originally hit down the first baseline. It was hit at the pitcher. while trying to stop it with his foot the ball deflected over to the first baseline. Therefore it is not the batters responsibility to get out of the way and why I would rule obstruction.
ReplyDelete