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"Bottom line, if it doesn't affect the play, ignore it."
Thus would be a contradiction and my contention - ignore it. Unlike T and Kyle, I still have not found where this play is specifically forbidden. Kyle may have been Hopkins' right hand man at one time but is no longer such. The Rules Committee members have far more creedence than you afford them. Most have been involved in the game for a very long time. Some administer their state's programs and others are long time officials. Two of them say that your interp is incorrect. These are the gentlemen charged with publishing and editing the annual rule book. In other words, those are the ones who write the book.
Saying "Back" to a runner that ignores it, is not play altering. If it is said and the guy dives back, did you see who said it? Why wouldn't a smart coach teach his kids to yell "Back" and dive back to the bag. You, the OOO on high alert for treachery, throw your hands up and say, "That's obstruction." and send R2 to 3B. You didn't see it, but you called it. That's phenomenal judgement on your part. The coach at third is chuckling.
Read the definition of Fed obstruction again and check the Case Book; this is not 2.22.1 Sit A in the Case Book. While it may be true that your organization enforces this, it would be against the opinions of members of the current NFHS Rules Committee. You may consider it preventive officiating, but it cannot be substantiated. Yes, it is true that sometimes we have to umpire. How do you umpire when you can't see the infraction and don't have a supporting rule for your penalty? Common sense should dictate that you will run into a coach that will demand it some day. That may be the end of your meteoric rise - once he tells others of your blunder. Then again, in your area, it may already be known that coaches have to adjust to your association's bad interps. I've seen groups that never enforce the batter's box or jewelry rules. I've come across umpires that never inspect the bats and helmets. If this is just another example of that, then I apologize. If it works for you, don't rock the boat.
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