When to call catcher's interferance?

[UmpTTS43]

What is wrong with pointing and saying "that's interference, obstruction (for FED)?" That is what I have been taught. Every other rule infraction on the diamond is made with a verbal and non-verbal signal (safe mechanic, point , whatever). If the players stop due to me calling a rule infraction, so be it. My job is to recognize the infraction.

Are people still using the DDB signal? Really?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by UmpTTS43

What is wrong with pointing and saying "that's interference, obstruction (for FED)?" That is what I have been taught. Every other rule infraction on the diamond is made with a verbal and non-verbal signal (safe mechanic, point , whatever). If the players stop due to me calling a rule infraction, so be it. My job is to recognize the infraction.

Are people still using the DDB signal? Really?

I agree on the verbal and the signal call. And, the DDB signal is still in the FED manual, so, yes, it's used in areas (not all areas) around the country.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I agree on the verbal and the signal call. And, the DDB signal is still in the FED manual, so, yes, it's used in areas (not all areas) around the country.

That's how I was taught as well. I will verbalize, but not using my "kill the play" voice the way I do with a balk. Usually just loud enough so that the coaches think, "what did he say?"

I do the DDB mechanic for about 2 seconds. I don't run around the field with my arm hanging out.

[charliej47]

FED:I had the same call. 1st inning B2 is at bat, R2. High pitch comes in I watch the bat clip the glove and B2 pops up. I signal and stated 'That's Obstruction!' F6 catches the pop-up and U1 signals Out. I call time and ask the VC if he wants the CI or the results of the play.

He chose the CI and I placed B@ on 1st base.

The HC comes out ans requests time to discuss what I had called. I explained that I had CI and that the VC was choosing CI over the results of the play. The HC turns to F2 and F2 states it never happened. The HC looks at me and says 'That's an awfull call!' I state Coach we have concluded this conversation. I turn to go back to the plate and the HC yells out 'THAT'S A HORRIBLE CALL' I returned to the HC and state "Coach you are restricted to the bench, I don't want to hear you or see you for the rest of the game.'

The visiting teams wins in the seventh when the home team could not come from behind.

[umpjong]

Originally Posted by charliej47

FED:I had the same call. 1st inning B2 is at bat, R2. High pitch comes in I watch the bat clip the glove and B2 pops up. I signal and stated 'That's Obstruction!' F6 catches the pop-up and U1 signals Out. I call time and ask the VC if he wants the CI or the results of the play.

Should just signal, and then after play ends announce the catchers interference/obstruction and make the award. It is the coaches responsibility to advise you if he wants the play to stand. If he says nothing, we play on with the award. Not going to coach for him. Not going to tell a coach he can appeal a missed base either...

[Ump Rube]

Originally Posted by umpjong

Should just signal, and then after play ends announce the catchers interference/obstruction and make the award. It is the coaches responsibility to advise you if he wants the play to stand. If he says nothing, we play on with the award. Not going to coach for him. Not going to tell a coach he can appeal a missed base either...

FED: 8.1.1E ...The coach or captain of the team at bat, after being informed by the UIC of the OBS, shall indicate whether or not he elects to decline the OBS penalty and accept the resulting play.

To elect or decline, you have to be asked, IMO.

[johnnyg08]

Read the rule again...your call is informing the team of the CI. That's it...I believe there are case plays that support what the other posters are saying. Are we off base with that? The coach needs to know that he has the option...we're not obligated to walk him through it.

[w_sohl]

with letting the coach know what his options are? We aren't "coaching" him on what to do, we are just saying it's either A or B, he still has to make the decision.

[Emperor Ump]

Originally Posted by w_sohl

with letting the coach know what his options are? We aren't "coaching" him on what to do, we are just saying it's either A or B, he still has to make the decision.

I discussed this exact situation with Hunter Wendelstedt and he gave a great reply:

Warren: In this example with catchers interference; at the Major League level do you offer the option to managers or not? Would the answer change at the amateur level?

Hunter: I don’t think that my answer changes from one to the other. This gets into “coaching” the teams. Even though they probably don’t the players and coaches are required to know the rules, too. We are not supposed to tell them what they can do, only allow them to make the decision on their own. However, that doesn’t mean that a reasonable question can’t be given a reasonable answer. And remember, some of their questions won’t have that question mark at the end of it. It may just be a statement like, “Hunter, there’s got to be a way I can get that run.”

My reply would be, “Why yes there is,” and then wait. If he asks how that is, I tell him. If not, too bad.

[mbyron]

Evans also teaches that it's not an umpire's job to tell the coach when he has an option.

On catcher's interference/obstruction, the correct mechanic is to (a) wait until the play ends; if the BR and each runner reaches his advance base, then ignore the CI/CO, and (b) if not, then enforce the award, unless the coach asks to take the play.

Do not ask the coach what he wants.

[johnnyg08]

I had a call a couple week ago where I explained my call to the coach and he proceeded to tell me that I didn't give him a thorough enough of an explanation...I wanted to say, but didn't, "I'm here to umpire a baseball game, not conduct a rules clinic. My explanation to you was the correct explanation. If you still disagree with my decision, feel free to protest the game." If not, we're playing on.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Evans also teaches that it's not an umpire's job to tell the coach when he has an option.

On catcher's interference/obstruction, the correct mechanic is to (a) wait until the play ends; if the BR and each runner reaches his advance base, then ignore the CI/CO, and (b) if not, then enforce the award, unless the coach asks to take the play.

Do not ask the coach what he wants.

mbyron,

While the Evans instruction is certainly appropriate for professional play, both Roder and Childress recommend offering the option to the coach in amateur play.

That is the practice I follow.

JM

[johnnyg08]

It's probably appropriate to do that at many amateur levels. What's good about it...IMO, is that an umpire correctly ruling on that play will hopefully educate the players and coaches in their future games that they have the option...once they know that, the future umpires might not have to explain it again.