Interference? Internet umpires whats your call?

wconn1979 said:

My kid is out there in Center. She looks like she is trying to figure out whats going on.


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Greatdaytobeawildcat said:

And, as was pointed out, some of home plate is in fair territory.

ALL of home plate is in fair territory.

In real time I had interference on hands to the glove. Tough call.

Ejection on the shove / helmet removal.

Notes / feedback for mr umpire: starting way too far away for calling balls/strikes for me. Also, gets caught in no man’s land - to make this call which he should anticipate, he ideally would be 3rd baseline extended (or wedge). Instead he’s sort of between point of plate and 1b lime extended, and he’s unlikely to have a good view of anything there.

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The Man In Blue said:

Now ... the way the runner reacted afterwards seems to throw all my beliefs in the toilet. They way she starts, hops up, and continues ALL seem premeditated. She doesn't look like she is pissed off and reacting to me, she looks like she is trying to cause trouble and enjoying it. That's why I have an immediate ejection when the helmet comes off.

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The Man In Blue said:

Some random observations in response to a number of posts:

Base lines mean nothing unless you are calling a foul ball. A runner determines their own base path.

While a base path is measured in straight lines (between the runner and the base), runners do not move in straight lines. A runner rounding third is coming to home in an arc. They are not looking at the base line and lining up. And, as was pointed out, some of home plate is in fair territory. The runner is entitled to go there.

A runner sliding does not drop straight down and only occupy the width of their shoulders. If you are going the "freeze frame" route (a luxury umpires don't have) I cannot say the runner did not go at the catcher, but I can say it was not overtly malicious. She did not alter her path. Her feet are going to home plate and the contact is made with her upper body which is, IMO, in the process of sliding. Did she maybe go inside when she could have gone outside? Sure, but the runner determines their own base path and she was headed to the base. The rules do not say the runner has to go to the part of the base the fielder is "providing access to." A fielder without the ball cannot block any access..

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wconn1979 said:

I had to run your take by a man who has been officiating ball since the 80’s. He said by your description the fielder would evidently have to start off way away from the plate, field the ball and then run try to make a play at the plate.


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RADcatcher said:

Good umpire officiated the moment!

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The Man In Blue said:

Some random observations in response to a number of posts:

Base lines mean nothing unless you are calling a foul ball. A runner determines their own base path.

While a base path is measured in straight lines (between the runner and the base), runners do not move in straight lines. A runner rounding third is coming to home in an arc. They are not looking at the base line and lining up. And, as was pointed out, some of home plate is in fair territory. The runner is entitled to go there.

A runner sliding does not drop straight down and only occupy the width of their shoulders. If you are going the "freeze frame" route (a luxury umpires don't have) I cannot say the runner did not go at the catcher, but I can say it was not overtly malicious. She did not alter her path. Her feet are going to home plate and the contact is made with her upper body which is, IMO, in the process of sliding. Did she maybe go inside when she could have gone outside? Sure, but the runner determines their own base path and she was headed to the base. The rules do not say the runner has to go to the part of the base the fielder is "providing access to." A fielder without the ball cannot block any access.

That said, @RADcatcher 's still shots show the catcher in a clear position for an obstruction call, IMO. Again, I may not catch it in real time, but with the luxury of still photos, the possibility is definitely there. What you cannot see in a still photo is if the runner was impeded (or altered her path). A catcher simply being in a position for obstruction does not necessarily make it obstruction.

Was there a shove in the slide or was she bracing for an impact? I could see that one either way with the luxury of watching it on video. In the moment, I'm thinking it looks more like a brace for impact.

Now ... the way the runner reacted afterwards seems to throw all my beliefs in the toilet. They way she starts, hops up, and continues ALL seem premeditated. She doesn't look like she is pissed off and reacting to me, she looks like she is trying to cause trouble and enjoying it. That's why I have an immediate ejection when the helmet comes off.

Click to expand...

The Man In Blue said:

Some random observations in response to a number of posts:

Base lines mean nothing unless you are calling a foul ball. A runner determines their own base path.

While a base path is measured in straight lines (between the runner and the base), runners do not move in straight lines. A runner rounding third is coming to home in an arc. They are not looking at the base line and lining up. And, as was pointed out, some of home plate is in fair territory. The runner is entitled to go there.

A runner sliding does not drop straight down and only occupy the width of their shoulders. If you are going the "freeze frame" route (a luxury umpires don't have) I cannot say the runner did not go at the catcher, but I can say it was not overtly malicious. She did not alter her path. Her feet are going to home plate and the contact is made with her upper body which is, IMO, in the process of sliding. Did she maybe go inside when she could have gone outside? Sure, but the runner determines their own base path and she was headed to the base. The rules do not say the runner has to go to the part of the base the fielder is "providing access to." A fielder without the ball cannot block any access.

That said, @RADcatcher 's still shots show the catcher in a clear position for an obstruction call, IMO. Again, I may not catch it in real time, but with the luxury of still photos, the possibility is definitely there. What you cannot see in a still photo is if the runner was impeded (or altered her path). A catcher simply being in a position for obstruction does not necessarily make it obstruction.

Was there a shove in the slide or was she bracing for an impact? I could see that one either way with the luxury of watching it on video. In the moment, I'm thinking it looks more like a brace for impact.

Now ... the way the runner reacted afterwards seems to throw all my beliefs in the toilet. They way she starts, hops up, and continues ALL seem premeditated. She doesn't look like she is pissed off and reacting to me, she looks like she is trying to cause trouble and enjoying it. That's why I have an immediate ejection when the helmet comes off.

Click to expand...