Obstruction at first base

[DG]

Originally Posted by todd.dicken

The game is played under OBR. In my observation of the play, the fielder was moving to catch the ball. Therefore I called the kid out, simple as that. Is their a more defined rule whether it has to be fielded from the bat vs caught from another player? I appreciate the advice Bob! Like I said, I'm new to this and I am only looking to further my knowledge of the rules.

Here is another one for you...Same game, so the coach is already fired up from the previous dispute. Im at position "A" and the batter hits a ROUTINE fly ball to center. I proceed to run into the infield and turn to watch the runner touch first. The next thing I hear is no catch from the other umpire. Apparently the kid in center momentarily had the ball in his glove, but never maintained possession. The coach then calls time and runs out yelling at me saying "You gotta make that call Blue!" and "that was your call to make!" I cant say the my training was sufficient, but I feel I made the correct decision by running in and leaving the catch/no catch up to my partner. I find that right now my biggest problem is deciding how to deal with coaches. I wanted really bad to tell him off, but feel I may have been too passive. Once again, thanks for any input.

You made the correct decision. Umpire in A never has the CF catch on routine fly ball. Your job is to make sure batter touches 1b. Coaches can ask for time, umpire has to grant it. If he runs out on the field truly yelling at me, I let him get right up to me and then toss him without any explanation. The word will get around amongst the parents and other coaches that you don't run out on the field yelling at umpires.

I don't think I have ever seen obstruction called on 1st baseman trying to catch a throw at 1b. And if he catches it and tags the runner before he reaches 1b, I get an out every time. I have seen a number of train wrecks at 1b.

[umpjim]

Originally Posted by DG

I don't think I have ever seen obstruction called on 1st baseman trying to catch a throw at 1b. And if he catches it and tags the runner before he reaches 1b, I get an out every time. I have seen a number of train wrecks at 1b.

I concur (never had to rule on the FED caseplay sit) but I have a nagging question about a play I just saw. Bunted ball down 3B line. F3 set up behind 1B and we get the out. Offense says he slowed down my runner who peeled off in stride to avoid trucking the F3. I have nothing but it might be a intentional position to affect the runner. Do we require a train wreck here? That's what that offensive coach is going to tell his runner next time.

[CT1]

Originally Posted by umpjim

I concur (never had to rule on the FED caseplay sit) but I have a nagging question about a play I just saw. Bunted ball down 3B line. F3 set up behind 1B and we get the out. Offense says he slowed down my runner who peeled off in stride to avoid trucking the F3. I have nothing but it might be a intentional position to affect the runner. Do we require a train wreck here? That's what that offensive coach is going to tell his runner next time.

Did F3 cheat to gain an advantage? If so, you probably have OBS, even without contact.

But it would have to be very obvious.

[MD Longhorn]

Rule is pretty clear. Interpretation, obviously, is all over the freaking map.

Rule (except NCAA) says that if a defensive player is not fielding a batted ball (BATTED, not thrown), and is in the runners path without the ball, and the runner or batter-runner deviates (slows or changes) his path to avoid that fielder, it's obstruction.

YMMV.

[johnnyg08]

Start ejecting. Most youth coaches are morons.

[Out]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

Start ejecting. Most youth coaches are morons.

Ah, but johnny, the greatest power should have the most delicate touch.

B. Goode! B. Goode!

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by Out

Ah, but johnny, the greatest power should have the most delicate touch.

B. Goode! B. Goode!

It depends. But I see your point.

[dougprob]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Rule is pretty clear. Interpretation, obviously, is all over the freaking map.



Rule (except NCAA) says that if a defensive player is not fielding a batted ball (BATTED, not thrown), and is in the runners path without the ball, and the runner or batter-runner deviates (slows or changes) his path to avoid that fielder, it's obstruction.



YMMV.

As Bob Jenkins most eloquently espoused, if a throw takes the F3 into the runner's lane, 99.9% of the time in any game I've worked or watched, it's simply a train wreck and play on.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Matt]

Originally Posted by CT1

Did F3 cheat to gain an advantage? If so, you probably have OBS, even without contact.

Intent never plays a role in OBS.

[DG]

Originally Posted by umpjim

I concur (never had to rule on the FED caseplay sit) but I have a nagging question about a play I just saw. Bunted ball down 3B line. F3 set up behind 1B and we get the out. Offense says he slowed down my runner who peeled off in stride to avoid trucking the F3. I have nothing but it might be a intentional position to affect the runner. Do we require a train wreck here? That's what that offensive coach is going to tell his runner next time.

Thin argument in my view.