What's the penalty for.....

[BlueLawyer]

Once upon a time I read an article in Referee magazine breaking down the Fed/OBR rules differences based, essentially, on four factors: (1) economics (metal bats); (2) safety (force play slide rule- although I think there is reasonable disagreement on whether that works); (3) time (run rule- 7 innings); and (4) participation (re-entry rule). I am not convinced that the Fed obstruction rule works to further any of those goals. If there is unintentional but also non-malicious obstruction, the award should mirror the OBR rule- award according to the umpire's judgment. If the obstruction is malicious, ejection (also an available remedy in OBR) is plenty of added punishment.

There are other Fed rules I would rewrite if I were in charge. Unfortunately, nobody has asked me yet.

My .02.

Strikes and outs!