Obstruction Mechanics

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by frozenrope22

He did in fact yell interference but I let that slide. I like to know as much about the rules and mechanics as it helps with coaching.

Same game had a no catch on third strike. Ball in the dirt. Close/tough call but PU yells "no catch" and catcher stood there waving the ball in PU face all the while PU was pointing at the ground. Catcher finally threw the ball and got the out but I was able to explain to catcher the situation and what the PU was doing so he would know what to do in the future.

"No catch!!!" Might as well just yell, "RUN!!!!" or "TAG HER!!!" Good grief.

[UmpJM]

mbc,

"No catch!" (or, "That's a catch!", as the case may be) is a proper verbal mechanic in the situation of a 3rd strike where the batter could become a runner if the pitch is not caught if there could be any uncertainty about what the umpire judged.

JM

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

mbc,

"No catch!" (or, "That's a catch!", as the case may be) is a proper verbal mechanic in the situation of a 3rd strike where the batter could become a runner if the pitch is not caught if there could be any uncertainty about what the umpire judged.

JM

This mechanic brought to you courtesy of the Doug Eddings Controversy.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Welpe

This mechanic brought to you courtesy of the Doug Eddings Controversy.

Is that a band?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Matt

Is that a band?

Yeah, they sang Eye in the Sky and Games People Play.

[DG]

I tend to point with whichever hand is most in the direction of the play vs. spinning around to use the other, and say "THAT's OBSTRUCTION" while pointing. If I am in C and see it at 2nd I am going to be pointing with right, if at 3rd I am going to be pointing with left. May not be technically correct, but never had a problem with it, and I just can't help it anyway.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

"No catch!!!" Might as well just yell, "RUN!!!!" or "TAG HER!!!" Good grief.

The first is giving information. IT's up to the players to react accordingly.

The latter two are coaching.

[UmpJM]

I'm curious as to where the "left hand point" comes from.

I believe I usually (always?) point with my right hand when calling obstruction.

I looked it up in my mechanics books (PBUC, CCA, & Evsns "Maximizing") and the only one that addresses it (Evans) shows a "right hand point" when calling obstruction.

My personal opinion is that either is equally suitable.

JM

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

I looked it up in my mechanics books (PBUC, CCA, & Evsns "Maximizing") and the only one that addresses it (Evans) shows a "right hand point" when calling obstruction.

Surprising.

I was always taught so it wasn't confused with an out.

I agree it's minor (I can't remember the last time a partner had an OBS call, so I can't say with which hand he pointed).

[Rich]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

"No catch!!!" Might as well just yell, "RUN!!!!" or "TAG HER!!!" Good grief.

You're off base here. You're letting all the participants know if the ball hit the ground or not. They're entitled to that. A trapped ball in the outfield gets the same treatment.

I give a "safe sign" and a "no catch" or a "no, no". Being silent doesn't tell F2 or the BR anything since you're behind them.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

You're off base here. You're letting all the participants know if the ball hit the ground or not. They're entitled to that. A trapped ball in the outfield gets the same treatment.

I give a "safe sign" and a "no catch" or a "no, no". Being silent doesn't tell F2 or the BR anything since you're behind them.

Wondering if this is a regional thing, and I apologize for my presumption that the way "we" do this is universal.

Generally (both Fed and OBR) the way this is called around here is either "Strike Three!" or "Strike Three, Batter's out", accompanied either by your strike mechanic or your strike mechanic followed by your out mechanic.

[DG]

On a 3rd strike not caught I first signal the pitch is a strike and then give safe sign and say NO CATCH and then do the safe and NO CATCH again. I am not coaching.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Wondering if this is a regional thing, and I apologize for my presumption that the way "we" do this is universal.

Generally (both Fed and OBR) the way this is called around here is either "Strike Three!" or "Strike Three, Batter's out", accompanied either by your strike mechanic or your strike mechanic followed by your out mechanic.

Mike, the mechanic the others are describing has been the standard taught by PBUC and others for a few years now. It's also an approved mechanic at NCAA levels.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Wondering if this is a regional thing, and I apologize for my presumption that the way "we" do this is universal.

Generally (both Fed and OBR) the way this is called around here is either "Strike Three!" or "Strike Three, Batter's out", accompanied either by your strike mechanic or your strike mechanic followed by your out mechanic.

I *think* (based on discussions on various boards) that your region is more the exception than the rule on this mechanic.

I would generally advise against the "strike three, batter's out" mechanic in any event. Someone is going to use it when the batter isn't out.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I *think* (based on discussions on various boards) that your region is more the exception than the rule on this mechanic.

I would generally advise against the "strike three, batter's out" mechanic in any event. Someone is going to use it when the batter isn't out.

A very good NCAA umpire did this in a game I worked this season. I was shocked it came out of his mouth (and so was he, matter of fact).

As with all swinging strikes, I say nothing about the pitch (unless it's an unsuccessfully checked swing) -- I simply will let the catcher/batter know there was no catch.