2020 and 2021 NCAA Softball Official Rules Interpretations, Clarifications and Situations (9/11/2019)

Please click the link to view 2020 and 2021 Major Rules Changes.

The Softball Rules Committee and Playing Rules Oversight Panel have approved one rules change for the 2019 season. The rules change can be found here.

Immediately, discontinue the rotation mechanic of umpire throwing a new ball to the pitcher when the ball remains in the field playing area.

This week we would like to revisit the obstruction rule (9.5.1) concerning a runner advancing or returning to a base. See the situations below:

- The fielder cannot position themselves in a manner that blocks the whole base/plate or base path without possession of the ball (consider fielder’s entire body).  A straddle position on the base path side of the bag may present an opening to the bag with a slide between the feet/legs; however, the positioning of the upper body is blocking the whole base/plate or base path – This is obstruction.  If the fielder moves to a position to catch a thrown ball and she blocks the base path or plate/base without the ball – This is obstruction.   

- If the fielder’s initial setup for play does not violate blocking the whole base/plate or base path and the catch or attempted catch of a thrown ball moves the fielder through the baserunner’s path to a new position and: (1) fielder obtains possession of ball before contact with runner – This ‘is not’ obstruction; (2) fielder contacts runner before possession of ball – This ‘is’ obstruction.  

- If the fielder is not in violation of blocking the whole base/plate or base path, but she impedes the runner (who is running the bases legally on a live ball) with physical contact without the ball – This is obstruction.

- If the fielder is blocking the whole base/plate or base path and the runner is “clearly beaten by the throw”, obstruction is not called and the runner may be ruled out on the play. The guidelines for “clearly beaten by the throw” are: (1) runners position is where she could not begin her slide, (2) fielder must wait on her to arrive to apply the tag or (3) she gives herself up.

- Rundowns are dynamic plays with runners creating new base paths and fielders moving to make a play.  Obstruction may develop if a defensive player physically impedes the runner or blocks the whole base path and she is not in possession of the ball or if defensive player is blocking the whole base without possession of the ball as the runner approaches that base.

Please consider the priorities of viewing a ‘possible obstruction play’ this way: as the play begins the umpire should choose a proper angle which will allow a view of the defensive player’s positioning, then ‘continuously’ shifting focus between: (1)  defensive player’s position, (2) status of ball,  (3) status of runner, (4) then as possession of the ball occurs by the defensive player, the eyes focus along with umpire movement to see the tag of the runner by the fielder and runner’s touch of base/plate.

My main point is you have to continue viewing the play for obstruction until there is possession of the ball by the fielder.    

The umpire must be confident that obstruction occurs before making the obstruction call: ‘no probably so’ or ‘more than likely’, we must be ‘sure.’  To do this umpires must know and understand the obstruction rule and be able to rule on it during the course of play.

Please stay tuned as we will post videos illustrating obstruction plays from this past week to further help you understand how to enforce this rule

Craig Hyde, NCAA National Umpire Coordinator

Vickie Van Kleeck, NCAA Softball Secretary Rules Editor  

2018 and 2019 NCAA Softball Rules Changes PowerPoint

Rules 6.7 and 6.12 - Media Format Guidelines

Interpretation of Rule 9.5 Note 3 – Obstruction 

Please click her to view Mechanic Changes or Clarifications for 2018.

Please click here to read 2018 and 2019 Major Rules Changes for Softball.

2016 and 2017 NCAA Softball Rules and Interpretations (PDF)

Please click here to read 2016 and 2017 Approved Softball Rules Changes (8/13/15).

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