Home Plate -- Obstruction

Question
I am a first year coach of a U12 team.

I had a girl running home from 3rd base on a wild pitch.  The catcher threw the ball to the pitcher who fumbled the ball.  The pitcher dropped in front of the plate to trap the ball causing my runner to not have access to the plate.  The runner had no chance of sliding into home and the pitcher made the tag.  Did the pitcher obstruct the runner from getting home?  Or would this be a good play as the pitcher was making the play for the ball?  Also what would my girls option have been, turn around, charge the catcher, go around???

I have had my pitcher called for obstruction at the plate because she was standing over the plate, also making a play for the ball thrown by the catcher (also a wild pitch situation).  How does that differ from the first scenario.

Sorry if this is not really clear and I hope you understand the play and can provide some guidance.

Thank you

Answer
Hi Mike,

Obstruction/interference questions can be difficult to answer w/out actually seeing the play but the rule is the defensive player cannot block the base w/out control of the ball.

It seems to me on your 1st question we have obstruction, F1 is blocking hp w/out control of the ball, just making a play for the ball is not enough, I can't tell you what your runner should have done, slide etc but if she was impeded to touching hp, w/out her doing anything the PUs' left arm should have gone straight out to the side.

In your 2nd question, again the defense cannot block the base w/out possession of the ball, about to receive the ball doesn't count, you cannot impede the runner w/out the ball.  I don't think it differs because both cases are obstruction.

Mark