WHAT?!

Physical contact is not required.

2.00 OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner.

I think you should call OBS the very next time you see it, and report back to us how that went.

This is getting ridiculous. Now we are making up rules and using the moronic rule 9.01(c) to make it all right!

Why are you all trying to eject, or call obstruction? Just call the runner safe no matter what! When the DC comes out, you can quietly discuss what his players are doing and that if you cannot see the base, you cannot render anything but a safe call.

Better yet, stop officiating on the kiddie fields!

And when the defense goes to bat and that bag is still covered, they better step right in the middle of the bag and knock the dirt off on the way by, or they are "out" for not touching the bag.

imaginary lines=imaginary arguments

Yes, during ground rules I state that whatever we call for fair/foul is going to be the call and there will be no arguing. Works most of the time.:rolleyes:

Why would it be different if there were lines?

Exactly. If it's truly that close that you can't tell one way or another what's it matter?

Because with lines, they can come out and argue the call, and without them I will not accept a peep out of them.

IMO, either way it's arguing a judgment call. I'll treat them equally (that is, consider what they have to say, how they say it, other actions in the game, etc.)

Which is probably being taught to the kids BY the coach. Just as a good pitching coach will teach his pitcher's, especially lefty's how to balk in hopes you as an umpire don't know or recognize the move as a balk. Treat it as a vicinity play just as the rule book says for a dislodged base.

But normally we allow a brief discussion over a judgment call (other than ball/strike, of course). Safe/out is often argued, as is fair/foul. If not prolonged, profane, physical or personal, we allow a little venting and ranting before telling them that we've had enough. Without foul lines I allow ZERO discussion of fair/foul. It's what I say it is and they know better in advance than to question it.

Damn, SDS! You are starting to sound like me! :rolleyes: