Quote:
Originally Posted by todd.dicken
I am very new at umpiring, I have about 20 games under my belt (Mainly 8U AA). Recently I had a very interesting game. A lot of coaches yelling at me for various reasons. Most were judgement calls safe/out. No big deal, I have found out quickly that someone is always going to be upset about your calls.
What really got me was a call I made at first. The batter hit a sharp ground ball to shortstop and as he threw to first, the first baseman had to move back standing on first base as the throw was a little high and towards home. He made the catch and tagged the runner. The coach proceeded to yell obstruction since the runner didn't have a clear path to step on that bag, and that the first baseman cannot stand on the bag. If I am correct, the first baseman has all the right to make the catch. Just wanted any clarification I can get in order to make calls as best I can. Thank you for any input you may have.
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No one (until you reach NCAA or MLB) has any right to make a catch of a thrown ball. Fielder has the right of way to field a BATTED ball... Runner has the right of way pretty much all of the rest of the time, as long as he doesn't do something intentional.
Your OP sounds like OBS to me, if the runner had to slow or deviate from his path to avoid a fielder who did not have the ball.