Obstruction?

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by BigGuy

That's exactly what I'm doing - calling plays based on the rules. I don't do college or leagues that use OBR. I do high school and lower only, and it's my choice. All the other umpires in our organization call it the same way and we have a very good track record. If that places us in the minority, so be it.

The difference between our approaches, is that mine is cut and dried; and until "IMMINENT" and "attempting to make a play" are defined so that I don't have to interpret, I'm going to continue to call it the same way. There is no way any coach can fault that logic. They don't have to like it, but they can't fault it.

until "IMMINENT" and "attempting to make a play" are defined so that I don't have to interpret,

That's where we differ. I say it's your job to learn the game enough so you recognize the situation. If you're looking for something like "the ball is within 13' 7 3/16" of the fielder" - don't hold your breath. You have to know the game.