Quote:
Originally Posted by reccer
Or, with 2 outs fast runner on second and grounder to outfield grant home. As a player, you know with 2 outs he/she is running on contact and will be sent home. Don't reward the defense because they were in the way. If you only protect to third, there is no penalty on the defense to obstruct.
|
Obstruction is not a reward/penalty rule.
The umpires judgment involves the point that the runner was obstructed and the base they would have reached had the obstruction not occurred only. It is not based upon "what should I do to penalize the defense?" Anyone who asked themself that question doesn't understand the rule or is umpiring for the wrong reason.
And the term "in my judgment" is not a catch-all phrase giving the umpire Carte Blanche to circumvent the given rule.