Now, for some actual baseball

[Rich]

Watch this:

Baseball Video Highlights & Clips | CLE@CIN: Mesoraco scores on botched rundown - Video | MLB.com: Multimedia

[mbyron]

Done.

[Welpe]

I have a tag out.

[MD Longhorn]

There's no way this is obstruction. I would hope even my first year guys would call this one correctly.

[kylejt]

What a heads up play by the dead duck runner. When caught up in a pickle, go for an OBS call.

What a bone headed call by U3. The runner went right after the catcher, who was clearly out of the runner's basepath.

Nice point at the the plate by the PU, too. (what's that all about?) Yeah, it's an award, but you still don't point because he could miss the plate.

All stuff I'd yell at my 13 year umpires for messing up on.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by kylejt

clearly out of the runner's basepath.

.

And just how many times have you had to tell a "he was out of the baseline" yelling coach that the runner can run wherever he wants to run, that the only time there's a path is when a tag is attempted.

Can't have it both ways guys!

[asdf]

Originally Posted by kylejt

What a heads up play by the dead duck runner. When caught up in a pickle, go for an OBS call.

What a bone headed call by U3. The runner went right after the catcher, who was clearly out of the runner's basepath.

Nice point at the the plate by the PU, too. (what's that all about?) Yeah, it's an award, but you still don't point because he could miss the plate.

All stuff I'd yell at my 13 year umpires for messing up on.

It seemed to me that the PU pointed as he touched. I've done that plenty of times. If anyone questions whether or not I saw the tag at the plate.... "go to the video."

I was in Cincy on business for the last two weeks and was at this game. Not sure what was more puzzling on this...

The fact that obstruction was called, or the fact that Acta didn't even come to the railing on this.

I'll bet he wishes he did once he saw the replay.

The fact that obstruction

[rbmartin]

Even an announcer (Chris welch) who played several seasons in the Major Leagues called it "interference" rather than "obstruction". I was listening to this game on the radio and Marty Brennaman (Hall of Fame announcer) did the same.

[DG]

Baseline not an issue here. Doing a 90 out of the baseline to draw an OBS call is.

[mbyron]

On another forum, the growing consensus on this play is that the runner:
(a) probably intentionally bumped F2 to draw the OBS call (he's looking at him most of the time), and
(b) it's still close enough to call, especially in real time.

[David B]

Originally Posted by mbyron

On another forum, the growing consensus on this play is that the runner:
(a) probably intentionally bumped F2 to draw the OBS call (he's looking at him most of the time), and
(b) it's still close enough to call, especially in real time.

I can see both of those points. Good base running. In real time it just
looks like he turns that way to run back to home and F2 is in the way - good base running.

Thanks
David

[kylejt]

The trouble with pointing at the plate is what you are saying when you don't point at the plate. You're giving the defense information on a missed dish.

Don't point at the plate, unless you're conveying information to the scorekeeper on a timing play. That's when it's proper to point at the plate.

[Art N]

Originally Posted by DG

Baseline not an issue here. Doing a 90 out of the baseline to draw an OBS call is.

I would have to agree with you from what I have seen MLB umps call in the past.
Based on just what I have seen Shane Victorino of Phillies do as a runner in run downs and get the obstruction call, this play is peanuts. Last year while in a run down between 1st and 2nd, Shane curled heading back towards second base several feet onto the inside (infield side) of the grass and ran right into the second baseman who probably thought he was far enough away. Victorino was awarded 2nd. It was pretty obvious what he was doing, but was awarded the base. I've seen him do this a couple of times now with success.

Would the level of ball change the way any of you would call it? i.e. small diamond games vs. JR-SR Babe Ruth/Legion/HS?

[mbyron]

I'm not just looking at the defense, nor just at the runner. I'm trying to see the whole play.

To NOT call OBS on a rundown, I need to see the runner veer from a path to the base in order to contact the fielder. Merely swinging around one way rather than another when changing directions won't do it. Merely stepping 1 step toward a fielder won't do it. Just as he's allowed to round a base, he's allowed to change directions as he pleases. He must clearly be running in a direction other than toward the base to merit a no-call.

From what I've observed, coaches who teach their runners to run into the fielder also teach their fielders how to clear the basepath after throwing the ball.

[Art N]

From what I've observed, coaches who teach their runners to run into the fielder also teach their fielders how to clear the basepath after throwing the ball.[/QUOTE]

Here is one video of Shane Victorino that certainly looks like he initated the contact, but was awarded 2nd on the OBS and the Mets mgr was ejected for arguing it. I'm a Phillies fan and I thought this was generous at the time.

Baseball Video Highlights & Clips | PHI@NYM: An obstruction call gets Manuel ejected - Video | MLB.com: Multimedia