[IRISHMAFIA]

The penalty for obstruction is that you cannot put that runner out.

Yes, before Fed changed their rule, umpires hesitated to rule obstruction on pick-off attempts. Been there, seen that happen on the field.

It's no different than when you hear "she gained no advantage" when an umpire doesn't call an illegal pitch. It's an excuse because that umpire doesn't want to start moving runners around the bases.

I do not agree with nor practice that, but I can certainly understand it because I don't agree with the penalty for an illegal pitch. I believe it should be a ball or manager's option should the ball be put into play. For you baseball folks who believe balk/illegal pitch are the same thing, you are wrong. A balk affects the runners in baseball while an illegal pitch has absolutely nothing to do with the runners.

That is just personal opinion which means absolutely nothing when I'm on the field.

If an umpire doesn't rule obstruction when they see it, blame the umpire, not the rule.