Quote:
Originally posted by bob jenkins
Quote:
Originally posted by WhatWuzThatBlue
Here's another point of clarification.
Carl correctly wrote that if a runner steals and the catcher throws a pop up in order to trick the runner into thinking that the ball has been hit, it is a legal play. However, if a fielder tells the runner to return or "go back", we have obstruction. If the defensive team makes a sound associated with a hit baseball we have obstruction, as well.
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A GENERAL rule of thumb -- if the defense acts like the defense, the play is legal. If the defense acts like the offense ("go", "get back") or the umpire ("foul ball") it's illegal.
I used to think that was nearly a universal rule-of-thumb --- but then FED added (or added to) the "F2 throws a pop-up" play -- in the new version, F4 says, "I've got it." To me, that's "acting like the defense." To the FED, it's verbal obstruction. I think the FED is "wrong" in this ruling.
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Bob, the rule is simpler: It's verbal v. visual, the three v's.
If the deke occurs as a result of the defense speaking to the offensse, it's verbal obstruction.
If the deke is visual, it's nothing. (Fake tag excepted)
Using that guideline, you don't have to worry about whether the FED is right in its interpretations.