Re: Approved ASA Rule Changes

Bill:
  I agree, it was rarely called.  The amount of time the ball spends between
the runner and the catcher is usually a fraction of a second, but the catcher
has already set up in the base line between 3rd and home.  The way I saw it
called most of the time and the rationale behind it was that as long as the
catcher had the ball before the runner touched the plate it was OK to
block/alter the patht to the plate.  And therein lies the problem, IMHO.  The
runner has already been made to slide around the catcher, taking a much longer
path to the plate, then the catcher receives the ball and applies the tag, even
though the runner has passed her in the base line (if that makes any sense). 
It was a no win situation for runners....if you plow into the catcher before
she has the ball, you get called out for the collision, maybe even tossed out,
and if you go around, or alter your path to the plate, you give the defense
that extra second to receive tha ball and apply the tag.  Funny thing is, you'd
see obstruction called at first on pick plays, but never at the plate.  I also
agree with you that if you've taught your catchers properly from the start, the
new rule will not force you to change the way your catcher recieves and blocks
at the plate.

Also enjoyed playing your team during Andy's tournament...wished we had given
you a better game...we were down a pitcher that day and a little arm-weary by
the last game of the night, but still enjoyed the experience.  We'll learn and
grow!!  We'll see you around the fields!

Tom Peronto
SD Renegades