Is this obstruction on the batter?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by L.A. Umpire Guy

Hall of Famer George Anderson: "The best umpires in the game are the ones who can get through nine innings without being noticed."

To a large extent, I think that's true. But, like all bromides, it isn't absolute.

Too many umpires call attention to themselves (think of the OOO's on this and other boards, as one example).

"Poor" umpires miss more calls (especially gross misses), and, thus, call attention to themsleves.

Too many umpires fail to address (some) problems early, without being noticed. Then, the problem blows up later, and the umpire is noticed.

Good umpires do none of the above, and are "less noticed" (or noticed less frequently) than bad umpires.

All that said, sometimes the play / actions dictate that the umpire be noticed.