Quote:
Originally posted by Dakota
Quote:
Originally posted by IRISHMAFIA
I think ASA's obstruction rule is one of the easiest to understand as long as you don't try to read too much into the rule. Only ISF's is easier.
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My beef has nothing to do with how easy the rule is to understand. I agree it is pretty simple.
It has to do with the fact that the rule is not enforced much of the time. It is not enforced so much that coaches are becoming wise to the fact that they can get away with teaching their players to obstruct. While around here it is mostly blocking the base on pick off attempts and standing so as to take away the natural path of the runner as she rounds a base a full speed, others are reporting particularly brazen acts, such as the one you describe, or the team that had the fielder sit down on the base.
If these calls were made every time, coaches would not waste their time teaching this kind of stuff. (ASA JO Travel coaches.) Sure, you'd have one every now and then, but this is becoming common in the 12U - 14U age groups. Above that, the players tend to begin to take care of it themselves.
What is the solution?
Better umpire training? Couldn't hurt, but will it actually happen?
All I was suggesting was giving the umpire who does call it a tool to increase the pain for coached obstruction. Sure, you could call it legitimizing a FYC. And you are probably right the PITA coach would be ragging for the extra base when it was not warranted in the umpire's judgment, but PITA coaches will find something to rag about anyway.
If you don't like the penalty base, what do you suggest? Or, maybe it is not a problem in your area.
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Tom,
If you read most of my posts on the subject of obstruction, you will see that I fully support making every obstruction call possible. I don't care if the umpire thinks an attempt was made or it was accidental and had no affect on the outcome of the play.
Once again, when this happens, you have umpires interjecting their personal feelings and beliefs into the actual rule, not just the award.
And when an umpire sees F3 stand near the bag to force the runner to the outside, there will be a warning and a possible objection if the player does not heed the warning.
You problem isn't with the rule, it is with the umpires. So, why create tougher penalties when the umpire will not effect those already in place? There are already remedies in place to handle the obstruction and the unsportsmanlike acts, why make it more difficult for the umpire who is doing the job properly?
JMHO,