Quote:
Originally Posted by EsqUmp
Obviously, you have to be there; but, if the umpire thought that the runner slid because the catcher was standing in her way and she knows she's not supposed to run through the defender, then there could be obstruction. But for the fact that the defender was in her way forcing the runner to take a course she otherwise would not have had to take, there could be obstruction.
Again, the response to the pissed off coach after you call obstruction is, "If you don't want obstruction called, tell your catcher to get the hell out of the way until she has the ball."
I'm not a fan of phantom obstructions. Obstruction is one of the most poorly ruled plays in softball. But if there is doubt, rule against the team who created the doubt - the defense. If they don't like it, get the hell out of the way.
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My problem is that you need to call it when it happens, but don't call it if it doesn't happen!
There are two aspects to obstruction and both have to be present to warrant an obstruction call:
1)Did a defensive player position themselves in the runners chosen path without posession of the ball, or not in the act of fielding a batted ball (making an initial play on a batted ball in NFHS).
2) Did that fielders positioning hinder or impede the runner?
The answer to both of those questions has to be YES to get the obstruction call.
In the OP I think the umpire needs to be thinking "I could have obstruction, I need to look for something to let me know that runner was hindered or impeded" If they don't see anything then there is no obstruction. I had almost this exact play last week, runner coming home catcher was actually in front of baseline no issue, as runner started to slide the ball got there and F2 moved her left leg back to block the plate, contact was made just after the ball got to the catcher...however, the ball kicked off the heal of the glove so no possession I had obstruction. After defensive coach made sure his F2 was ok (give him credit for that) he asked me about obstruction call, I told him she didn't have posession when contact was made his response? "Well that's an easy one then" and he walked back to dugout. I had very close to the same play last year at an ASA tournament (Andy, you were there) but the catcher had possession then moved to block and applied a good tag, so no obstruction runner out at the plate....hello coach (man he was there quick).
Bottom line the fielder has to hinder or impede the runner, in the umpires judgement, for there to be obstruction. Once that happens then it needs to be called! But it doesn't need to be called just because that fielder was "in the way without the ball" that presence alone is NOT enough to get an obstruction call it has to actually hinder or impede the runner!