I'm not disagreeing with the play or followup, so don't get that out of these comments. The score does not matter, even if a call does cost a team a game. What matters is whether we are right or wrong. When a fielder (like F4 in this one) is making the play and doesn't do anything beyond that, I can't see how it could be obstruction. If the fielder is making a play, the runner must avoid the collision and so in this case could have interfered, if the contact messed up the DP. Sometimes, even when we blow a call or more, they will stay say "good game". Maybe they recognize the truth, maybe they always say that or maybe they won. Sometimes we blow a call or more and don't deserve a compliment. So be it, I don't pretend to be divine.
Also, the case doesn't state that the out came before the contact, but even if it did not, the point is the cause of the collision. If it were interference, it could be on a runner that is out if it prevented a DP.
I like Scott's handling of the conversation with the coach and post-gane restaint, but I try to avoid the congrats line and the coaches once it's over. Also, I'm not surprised at the coach's misunderstanding of the rule; but I am disappointed that, as an umpire, he didn't know better or at least accept your response.
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Officiating takes more than OJT.
It's not our jobs to invent rulings to fit our personal idea of what should and should not be.
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