NCAA Softball Obstruction @ Home Plate! UCLA vs Stanford Replay Review + Ejection! (No Errant Throw)

NCAA Softball Obstruction Rule Comparison.
*Old Rule*:
The old rule ‘said’, that a fielder could not block the entire base or base path of the runner, without the ball. In other words, they ‘were’ allowed to block a portion of the base or basepath as long a piece was open to the runner. It also said….that when a fielder is blocking the entirety of the base or base path, you had to factor in the runner’s specific base path - if they were to have a wide turn/angle coming in on the slide. This Allowed fielders to leave the “back end” of the plate or base open for the runner to avoid an obstruction call. Lastly, When committing the violation of blocking the entire base or base-path, fielding a thrown ball did not justify non-obstruction. It did not protect a fielder, it was still obstruction if they went after the ball.
*New Rule*:
Now, 2024 & on, if a fielder is blocking ANY portion of the base or base path without the ball it is obstruction. (We’ll talk about going after the ball) The official verbiage for blocking the base or base path, is blocking the “lead edge” of the base, where the runner is approaching. Even if there foot is an inch in front of the base or plate.
Second, because of this, there is no “leaving a portion open”, which means the path of the base-Runner is now irrelevant. A base runner that has a wide angle to the back side of the bag is still owed the front leading edge, to which the fielder can not be in front of at all without the ball. (Ie: the parallel length of the side of 3rd base facing 2nd base, or 2nd base side of the base facing 1st base)
Now………..the Home Plate is a little bit different compared to the bases. The bases leading edge, are pretty easy to visually recognize. It’s the entire length from one corner to the other, and a parallel line. Home plate on the other hand, is not as simplistically shaped. But what helps, is that there’s a standard foul line drawn from the outside of 3rd base corner, and extends to the back side-corner of the plate. That would be furthest left that the basepath & leading edge can extend. The furthest right would be the left front edge of the plate. So the fielder can not be on the line, or lined up with it within those dimensions, of the leading edge. (Ie: they can’t be on the chalk, without the ball)
Lastly, a fielder can NOW be on, lined up with, or block the “leading edge” of the plate or base, if they are “legitimately” fielding a thrown ball. Now, what is the interpretation of legitimately fielding a ball in regards to protecting against an obstruction call? “Legitimately fielding a ball” only applies in regards to “errant throws”. (Ie: did the catcher have to physically move to make not just a movement to get a throw that’s off line slightly, but one to that’s errant. If so, she’s protected from Obstruction.
In the Oklahoma vs Texas game, the SUP has determined that play to be No Obstruction due the catcher making a legitimate attempt to field and air throw. In the UCLA vs Standard game, (the last video posted) it was determined after replay review, that the catcher was not making a legitmate attempt to field an errant throw. (Ie: was not an errant throw or catcher did not need to block the lead edge to field it)
Attached is a in depth breakdown video of the 2 Obstruction scenarios! Hope all this information helps you guys better understand the rule. Rules & or new changes can definitely be confusing from the fans perspective! :))))

[@MaydayAggro]

To an umpire these rulings are obvious. I watched the OU game and immediately said to the TV, "That's not obstruction." (And I am an OU fan.)

[@jimbartle2329]

Looks legit to me. She has the ball before the runner gets close to the plate.

[@UmpireLive]

In order for it to be “legit”. She hast to have the ball before the runner starts her slide. Then, you can use the argument of the runner, not being close to the plate, and she would be out.

[@mae2759]

We have this in NFHS baseball too and nobody has really been able to define when the obstruction actually happens. So if the catcher sets up completely up the line and the runner is just rounding third when the throw comes in, is that obstruction? They haven't been able to define the WHEN that we need to put this together consistently. Otherwise, I'd argue in both clips that the catcher possessed the ball before any obstruction happened.

[@UmpireLive]

In NCAA softball, it is absolutely already defined on how early the Obstruction occur. I can’t speak for any other association. There is a specific rule in NCAA Softball, that states, if the runner is “clearly beaten by the throw”, the obstruction/blocking of the base/path shall be ignored…. Now, what is the interpretation of “clearly being by the throw”?, For it to be “clearly beaten by the throw”? -the ball must beat the runner (caught by catcher), and the runner not be reasonably able to start her slide. In this/both situations, the runner was already starting the process of her slide attempt, before the catcher received the ball… so “clearly beaten by the throw” would not apply. [This information can be found in the NCAA softball casebook, not the rule book]

[@mae2759]

@@UmpireLive Thanks. Sounds like the point where the runner starts her slide is the "when". When the slide starts, if the base is blocked, then it's obstruction.

[@UmpireLive]

@@mae2759 correct!

[@davidbrinkmann3322]

NOT obstruction did not impede runners direct path to plate

[@UmpireLive]

NCAA softball does not make it a requirement to impede the runners base path to have obstruction. The old rule did not say this either, but the new rule this year is that they cannot block any portion of the base/ basepath without the ball, unless they are fielding an errant throw.

[@markoliver7500]

blown call on review

[@UmpireLive]

Nope.

[@douglasiles2024]

The wording of the ruling is too vague and open to too much interpretation. What one umpire sees as an "errant throw", another umpire may not. This was a bad rule change to begin with.

[@UmpireLive]

The definition of “errant throw” is whether or not to catch your needed to move to successfully receive the ball. Unfortunately there’s just not much better way of going about it….. At least when you’re factoring in the well-being of the student athlete in regards to collisions, which is a big reason on why this entire rule is in place.

[@UmpireLive]

Just like many other instances in the game, a lot of things are “judgment” calls.

[@beardedwonder73]

In the act of receiving the throw ... isn't that part of rule also. That's a bad replay overturn.

[@UmpireLive]

It’s not as vague as “in the act of fielding the ball”. The rules specifically states that future must be making a legitimate attempt to fill the ball. Further interpretation explains what legitimate means, - it means that the catcher can only move to an otherwise obstructing positioning if she “needed” to move there successfully, field the ball. The two examples in the video, are a good illustration on the difference between errant and non-errant.

[@beardedwonder73]

@UmpireLive okay .. it still seems like it an "iffy" call either .. I'm glad I'm not anump in this era

[@DoubleOnTheBump]

what a terrible rule.

[@Blackdog222]

That was a horrible decision. The runner was out and UCLA went into crying mode as per usual.

[@UmpireLive]

Rules are rules