play at plate

Question
Mark,

In a recent coed ASA league game, the runner on 2nd base tried to score on a hit to the outfield.  The throw was relayed to home by the third baseman and was caught by the pitcher who was covering home.  The pitcher was in the baseline.  It was a bang bang play with the ball arriving to the pitcher and the base runner arriving at the same time.  I have read in other responses from you that this would be a "crash" situation, and no interference or obstruction would be called.  It may also be one of those plays where you would have to see it to make a determination.

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Charles

Answer
Hi Charles,

You live in OK, I hope you watch the CWWS at OK City from time to time. I umpired in the HOF stadium quite a while ago, beautiful place to play ball.

Re: your q is probably is a HTBT situation but if the ball, the offense and the defense all arrive at the same time and the same spot it is a crash and a no call.  F1 cannot block the baseline w/out the ball and cause the runner to slow down or change direction that would be obstruction.

Mark