Bat Contacts Catcher's Glove
Nobody is out. Runner on 1st base that wants to steal to 2nd base. As the batter swings at the pitch, the catcher lunges forward to catch the ball early in anticipation of making the throw to 2nd base on the stealing runner. The bat, as it is coming around, makes contact with the catchers glove. The batter is in the batters box the entire time. What do you have? Is contact necessary to make this call? Back to Quiz
Catcher's Obstruction.
Contact is not always necessary for Catcher's Obstruction. When the catcher steps on home plate and prevents the batter from swinging, there is Catcher's Obstruction. However, most of the time when the batter swings, contact will be necessary. The umpire should signal the delayed dead ball and let this play continue.
If the batter does not hit the ball, the batter gets 1st and all other runners advance if forced. If the batter hits the ball and reaches 1st and all other runners advance 1 base, the obstruction is canceled. Otherwise the offensive team gets the option of (1) the result of the play, or (2) the penalty (batter gets 1st and all other runners advance if forced). Rule 8-1-D.
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