Quote:
Originally posted by mcrowder
You're really stretching things here, but I'll play along.
If I don't know who said "BACK!", of course I can't call it. But I'll likely hang up the cleats and go get a hearing test too. These players are not that far from me, and not (hopefully) in a straight line from me - it shouldn't be that difficult to know who said it.
But the play in question has F6 saying "Back!". I assume then, for the sake of the discussion, that F6 did, in fact, say back. If this is not verbal obstruction to you (or to the two guys you are saying back you up --- of course, I've not seen anything published from either of them that support your assertion... whereas I HAVE seen and read the one quoted by Tim), then what IS verbal obstruction to you (and them)? Seems to me that this type of play is EXACTLY why the word verbal appears in the rulebook.
|
Here are simple questions: Do you call things you don't see? If some guy in the dugout swears at you, do you eject the guy closest to you?
Simple statement: Fed is clear on what they want called. They even give specific examples in the Case Book, so that clarity is insured. I don't see this anywhere. In fact, the only mention of "Back" anywhere in the book involves a fake pop-up. However, I do see a play that allows a runner to be caught off second base because the defense has tricked him with verbal AND physically obstructive means.
The truth is, I don't care what you call as long as your coaches buy it. I hate this call and realize that the Fed has let this contradiction fester for more than a few years. If you can get away with making up rules then you are very lucky indeed. When the coach is screaming at you, T and Kyle can drive in to tell them all about their beliefs. Most of my coaches know the rules and have access to the book - they don't give much creedence to those guys.
I'm one of those unlucky umpires who has to perform in accordance to the rules. I don't like the rule, as it is written. I also despise the batter's box rule, courtesy runners, the IBB, finishing a game with eight players, the home run balk, re-entry, etc. OBR has been doing a fine job for a long time and Fed comes along to muck it all up.