I guess we will all be umpiring softball next year

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

No. (Well, not likely -- I haven't seen the final rule.) A throw that takes a fielder into the path of a runner will still be a train wreck.

I believe that a strict reading of the rule change eliminates this exception.

[Tim C]

I do not believe it does . . . BUT I will wait for the final rule and interps to make my decision.

Regards,

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I do not believe it does . . . BUT I will wait for the final rule and interps to make my decision.

Regards,

I hope you are correct, Tim. But from my read, it will take a written exception to the new wording for FED to clarify that you are.

[DG]

Originally Posted by GarthB

I believe that a strict reading of the rule change eliminates this exception.

I hope they don't write a rule that says the catcher can't move up the line to try to catch an errant throw without being guilty of obstruction. I still see an occassional train wreck happening.

Now if he stands up the line before the ball is released he is presenting a target and a likely obstruction call is imminent.

[UmpLarryJohnson]

i just DONT see how a fielder moving to catch a OFFLINE throw and contacts the RUNNER (same instant) can be called for OBSTRUCTION. thats a TRAINWRECK. says so on google or something!

how does NCAA call TRAINWRECKS? can a NCAA umpire here comment?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by UmpLarryJohnson

i just DONT see how a fielder moving to catch a OFFLINE throw and contacts the RUNNER (same instant) can be called for OBSTRUCTION. thats a TRAINWRECK. says so on google or something!

how does NCAA call TRAINWRECKS? can a NCAA umpire here comment?

Trainwreck, as noted before.

[jkumpire]

Friends,

While the razor is usually the best way to go with things like this, I will withhold judgment on if this is a good thing until I see the Case Book. As so many others have said, OBS is a judgment call with guidelines, and a lot of FED coaches will read the rule, make their own judgment, and then start seeing OBS where there wasn't any before.

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by UmpLarryJohnson

i just DONT see how a fielder moving to catch a OFFLINE throw and contacts the RUNNER (same instant) can be called for OBSTRUCTION. thats a TRAINWRECK. says so on google or something!

Yes, trainwrecks happen in baseball, but it looks like Fed may make them OBS.