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Originally Posted by WestMichBlue
OBS Again (and again and again etc.)
You might want to go back and re-read that post. The majority of you supported OBS even without visible deviation of the runner. Mike went so far as to critize (gently) me for failing to make the OBS call.
Why is it different now?
The wide, reach-back slide has been almost automatic for college players, and many high level Travel and H.S. players. WHY? Because of exactly what you see in this picture. Catchers have been blocking the plate for years, and getting away with it. But we are supposed to stop it today. And we can't agree what "IT" is!
Regarding the OP pic - if NCAA game, legal play. If below that, under revised obstruction rule - probably is OBS.
WMB
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no ones calling that OBS IMO.
Even if they say OBS here in a theory discussion.. that play is seen over and over. I mostly work high level TB 16A-18G - its not called. I dont think I've ever had an Off coach ask for it to be called.. because thats the way its done.
I agree with you in general, by the book - that is clearly OBS because it is obviously causing runner to take an action that is deviated from a straight path to the base. That catcher is clearly impeding the runner. That catcher does not have the ball.
"oh but the runner decided to do that".. yeah, because of the situation.. ie a catchers in the way without the ball.
I wouldnt want to work a game where that was called, wouldnt call it myself, arguments that its NOT obs in a strict black and white interpretation of the rule is unsound IMO.
When you start seeing BR's *hook/slide by* a safety bag on a bang bang @ 1B, you can start thinking "hey it must be a better way to do it".