Obstruction: Mets vs. Pirates

[rbmartin]

After being "thrown out" the runner immediately started heading for the dugout. That tells me that HE did not feel he was obstructed.
I also agree with 2 previous posters. F6 standing where he did only invites trouble.

[kylejt]

That's the proper call, with the proper timing.

Plus, you have to judge how much OBS it was, and did it effect the outcome. With a slight variance in the runners step, and the close play at third, you always lead toward the runner.

Use this video for training, all you instructors out there. It's a great example of type b OBS, and how it's handled.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by kylejt

That's the proper call, with the proper timing.

Plus, you have to judge how much OBS it was, and did it effect the outcome. With a slight variance in the runners step, and the close play at third, you always lead toward the runner.

Use this video for training, all you instructors out there. It's a great example of type b OBS, and how it's handled.

I agree. It's not something that registers in a split second. Layne had to take in all that he saw and ruled within a reasonable timeframe.

[Ump Rube]

I don't do much (if any) OBR, I work mostly FED. Do you take into account at all if there is a play being made on him?

I.E. F8 picks up the ball and just lobs it into F6, you keep your hand down and avoid the "it was OBS, but all he gets is 3B," or do you point it out and hope we all just move on?

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by Ump Rube

I don't do much (if any) OBR, I work mostly FED. Do you take into account at all if there is a play being made on him?

I.E. F8 picks up the ball and just lobs it into F6, you keep your hand down and avoid the "it was OBS, but all he gets is 3B," or do you point it out and hope we all just move on?

OBR (and NCAA) has two types of OBS. Type A (or 1) is on a player being immediately played upon (or before reaching 1B). Type B (or 2) is on a player not being played upon.

This situation is Type B. You call it, then fix it when the play is over. If he had reached 3B safely, you simply let it go.

Fed is different. ALL OBS is similar to Type B in OBR.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Ump Rube

I don't do much (if any) OBR, I work mostly FED. Do you take into account at all if there is a play being made on him?

I.E. F8 picks up the ball and just lobs it into F6, you keep your hand down and avoid the "it was OBS, but all he gets is 3B," or do you point it out and hope we all just move on?

You have to point it out when it happens (or when it registers with you).

What if in your play R3 sees the lob to F6 and keeps running for home and is out on a close play? Are you *now* going to try to tell everyone there was OBS?

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by Ump Rube

I don't do much (if any) OBR, I work mostly FED. Do you take into account at all if there is a play being made on him?

I.E. F8 picks up the ball and just lobs it into F6, you keep your hand down and avoid the "it was OBS, but all he gets is 3B," or do you point it out and hope we all just move on?

The tricky thing w/ FED is that if you call it, you're always going to give him another base...unless he reaches the base he was trying to reach.

You treat it like Type B, but award it like Type A, so there's a bit more judgment involved there. In your situation above, go ahead and call it, in other situations, I wouldn't call it...but to discuss those, would hijack the thread.

[SE Minnestoa Re]

I thought the umpire did well. There is no reason to be too quick. I think you need to process what you see and then make a call. Being in too much of a hurry seems to always cause problems.

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by rbmartin

After being "thrown out" the runner immediately started heading for the dugout. That tells me that HE did not feel he was obstructed.

Who cares what the runner thinks. I've had guys get hit-by-pitch before and stay there to hit...should I not award them 1B, because they didn't think they were hit? In all reality, the runner may truly not know what obstruction is or how to interpret it.

On that note, maybe we do agree, but I'm interpreting your post to say that since the runner didn't argue, then it must not be OBS.

[celebur]

Originally Posted by rbmartin

After being "thrown out" the runner immediately started heading for the dugout. That tells me that HE did not feel he was obstructed.

All that tells me is that he did not think that obstruction was called. It tells me nothing as to whether he did or did not feel he was obstructed.

[MrUmpire]

Excellently handled by Layne....proper call after taking the time to evaluate the play.

[MikeStrybel]

The question of timing is relevant. We all call things when they register with our brain. Well, I've called a few before then but that's a different matter. Layne did not react well and aggressively to this play. There is no doubt that he is one of the very best but this was not an example of obstruction being called in MLB lately. There are plenty of examples and almost all involve adamant verbalizations and signaling.

As for the runner giving up and walking away, I don't think that's a huge consideration. He was out, he knew it and most players don't know rule enforcement like we do. He should have been pissed at himself for getting caught after he slowed approaching and rounding second.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

The question of timing is relevant. We all call things when they register with our brain. Well, I've called a few before then but that's a different matter. Layne did not react well and aggressively to this play. There is no doubt that he is one of the very best but this was not an example of obstruction being called in MLB lately. There are plenty of examples and almost all involve adamant verbalizations and signaling.

As for the runner giving up and walking away, I don't think that's a huge consideration. He was out, he knew it and most players don't know rule enforcement like we do. He should have been pissed at himself for getting caught after he slowed approaching and rounding second.

This is type b obstruction, and you don't need a big call on this one. You have to determine what happens next. If R1 got thrown out by 15 feet, U2 is not making that call after the dust settles. He's out, fellas.

You need a casual call, with no theatrics for type b. The only thing I would have done differently is point with my left hand.