Expert: John Priest - 4/26/2008

Question
John, I recently umpired a JVBB game by myself. During the game on three occasions the catcher came out of his box to catch a pitch outside and low. He was preventing the pitch from hitting the ground and getting by him. He didn't cross the plate just moved to the vacant batters box. The offensive coach at 3rd believed this to be catchers obstruction. I've never seen a catcher do this before. I not sure what I should of called based on the NFHS rule book. The coach may have been right. What do you think?

Thanks, Dale

Answer
Dale,
    The catcher's box is the area in which the catcher must stand until the pitcher delivers the ball.  The catcher must start with at least one foot in the box, similar to the way a catcher sets up for a pitchout.  A catcher can leave the catchers box in order to catch the baseball.  If the hitter swings and makes contact with the catcher as he is trying to catch the baseball it is catchers obstruction and the hitter is allowed first base.  On a wild pitch the catcher must do what he can to keep the baseball in front of him.  I have been a catcher my entire life and on most wild pitches to the left or right I have been out of the catchers box by the time I blocked the baseball.  
    It is only catchers obstruction is the catcher obstructs the hitter from making contact with the baseball.  I have only seen this called when a hitter has swung at a pitch and hit the catchers glove during the swing.  You are correct with the call you have made.

Thank You,
John Priest
Nokona Batman
www.nokonawreckingcrew.com