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"In your play, you say the catcher gets the ball "RIGHT" as the runner gets there.
Why would you not rule obstruction in this case"?
Scott, I didn't call obstruction because the fielder did not obstruct the runner, but caught the ball outside the base-line then tried to swipe-tag the runner. She would have had an easy play if the cut-off had made a throw closer to the plate, where she would not have had to worry about obstruction, or missing a swipe tag. As it was the fielder played it right but missed the tag. Had the fielder gone directly in front of the runner when she caught the ball I would have called obstruction and awarded the runner home.
As Mike said... in plays of judgment a close call is going to have a happy coach and a possible angry one.
I learned early on that it's best to call them as I see them no matter what the score is, or what coach is on the losing end of a close play. (as you know some coaches are nasty). Some seem to forget the most important things are to show good sportmanship, have respect for the umpire in judgment calls, and setting a good example to the young players. After a close play I don't want to second guess myself, or try to "make it up" to a coach that is trying to work the next close play to go his way.
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