coach told him to "block" the base‏

[Matt]

Originally Posted by kheisner

All, I had to share this with you....

Today I was an umpire for a 11-yr old "Rec" all-star tourney. In a close play at 3rd base team "A"s 3rd baseman put down his leg to block the sliding runner from team "B" as he took the throw. My partner the base umpire called the runner out because he slid into the 3rd baseman's leg and he never touched the base.

Needless to say team "B"s coach was angry that obstruction wasn't called. We assured him that this play was legal and his player was out.

Oh, boy. What ruleset?

Originally Posted by kheisner

Next half inning team "B"s coach instructed his 3rd baseman to "block" the base if team "A" tries to steal 3rd.

Team "A" runner on 2nd base breaks for 3rd base to steal it. Team "B" 3rd baseman sets up like a good football offensive lineman (hands inside; elbows out) about 8-ft from 3rd base and proceeds to set the oncoming runner on his "keester" as he approaches 3rd base. OMG!!!WTF!!!

My partner and I quickly killed the play and quickly restored order. I can still see in my mind the stunned runner on his butt and the 3rd baseman who was very proud of his great block!! Team "B"s manager was stunned by his 3rd baseman's action. Team "A"s coaches anger settled quickly, nobody hurt.

Partner and I assessed the situation. We ejected nobody, warned everybody. My reason for not ejecting the 3rd baseman came from personal experience when coaching "youngsters".

You kicked the hell out of this one.

[kheisner]

Oh, boy. What ruleset?

PONY/OBR....why do you ask? I'd called it the same in Fed


You kicked the hell out of this one.

HTBT.....

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by kheisner

Oh, boy. What ruleset?

PONY/OBR....why do you ask? I'd called it the same in Fed

Really? In FED you would allow a fielder, without possession of the ball, deny a runner access to a bag?

[Matt]

Originally Posted by kheisner

PONY/OBR....why do you ask? I'd called it the same in Fed.

You'd be dead wrong in FED. 100% OBS.

Originally Posted by kheisner

HTBT.....

No, you don't. Your description says it all.

[mbyron]

In general, MC is of course a judgment call. I can envision a play where a little runner (remember, these kids are 11U) bounces off a chunky F5 who is firmly planted. Hard to call MC there.

OTOH, I can envision a play (which sounds like the OP) where F5 goes and gets the runner and knocks him on his butt. I'm all for instructional umpiring up to a certain level, but even 11U kids know that's not baseball.

Whether his coach goes too depends on the first words out of his mouth. If it's "Bobby, what the heck are you doing?" he might stay; if it's "Attaboy, Bobby!" buh-bye.