[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by DaveASA/FED
Ok, I had this happen twice in the last two nights. Two different BU's. Same type of situation so I'll describe only one of them. R1 on 2nd, R2 on 1st ball hit to short stop, she takes off for 3rd close behind is the runner, now 3rd base sees SS with ball and moves back to try to get to base now R1 runs into her 2 steps from bag and then SS touches 3rd base. My BU calls an out. I saw what I though looked like obstruction, and 3rd base coach looked at me and pointed saying "was that..."(I cut him off by saying "Time") so I met my BU alone and asked what she saw. She stated that the 3rd basewoman was in R1's way and R1 couldn't get to the base, "I don't think she did it on purpose but she did get in her way." I said well that's obstruction isn't it? She agreed, I said and the runner can't get out inbetween the bases she was obstructed right? "Yes" So what do you think, should we award her third based on obstruction? "Yes", Ok after we step back tell them all "We had obstruction on the 3rd basewoman runner is awarded 3rd." And she did, no arguement or comment from anyone.

Now a long story for a short question. Do you all think I handled this correctly? I wanted to make sure the call was made as I and everybody else saw it, admittently even her. Maybe I am overthinking it but, I am a little worried I might have stepped on their toes a little, again I tried to work them through it so they came up with the right answer and both of them did, I also talked to both of them at the next 1/2 inning on how to correctly signal and call obstruction when it happened. So I am asking if there is anything else that could have been done, other than BU calling obstruction when it happened. Again another joy of working and trying to develop young umpires!!

If you saw it, why didn't you just call it? Any umpire can rule on any obstruction they observe whether they have responsibility for the base to which the runner is progressing or not.

One of the prettier sights is to see multiple umpires stick out that left arm simultaneously.