new obstruction rule

[coreyboy]

I am surprised that no one is talking about the new obstruction rule, to me it is absolutely ridiculous and we as umps are going to be put into terrible postions. The fielder canot block the base at any time unless she or he has the ball in the glove, steals pickoffs and plays at home are going to be bad situations guys and girls. Please give feedback on your opinions

[azbigdawg]

I dont know why you think its so bad..its pretty simple..if you dont have the ball..dont block the base.... what horrible, ghastly, agonizing position are you going to be put in UNLESS YOU OVERANALYZE IT? Its not rocket science...thats why noone is talking about it. the "about to recieve the ball" phrase caused more issues than this ever will.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by coreyboy
I am surprised that no one is talking about the new obstruction rule, to me it is absolutely ridiculous and we as umps are going to be put into terrible postions. The fielder canot block the base at any time unless she or he has the ball in the glove, steals pickoffs and plays at home are going to be bad situations guys and girls. Please give feedback on your opinions

Since I don't see any smilies, I must assume you are serious, so I've got to ask, "Are you serious?"

This not only makes the rule simpler to understand for the umpires, coaches and players, it is so clear-cut, it basically forces the teams to play in a manner less likely to cause an injury.

You have got to be a baseball guy!

[whiskers_ump]

I agree with Mike.

ASA's new obstruction rule, or at least the deleting the
"about to receive portion", makes the umpires decision so
much easier. Coaches will have to teach the players to
properly play their defensive positions. No ball in hand,
clear the area.

[Dakota]

I agree with the safety improvement, but for me that is not the biggest reason I favor removing the "about to receive" phrase. My reason is consistency among the umpires.

I found it very frustrating to be partnered with umpires who defined for themselves what ASA meant by that - that they ruled it to mean "ball in flight" and even "set up ready for a throw yet to be made."

Yes, allowing defensive players to block the basepath in anticipation of a throw (or even to just block the path) is a safety issue. After all, softball ain't hockey. There is no "goalie" position. But for me it was more of a consistency of calls issue. (A selfish outlook, I know.)

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by Dakota

I found it very frustrating to be partnered with umpires who defined for themselves what ASA meant by that - that they ruled it to mean "ball in flight" and even "set up ready for a throw yet to be made."

These are terms utilized by baseball umpires or other associations which base their softball rules on traditional baseball rules (OBR).

[Skahtboi]

Originally posted by Dakota
I found it very frustrating to be partnered with umpires who defined for themselves what ASA meant by that - that they ruled it to mean "ball in flight" and even "set up ready for a throw yet to be made."

But for me it was more of a consistency of calls issue. (A selfish outlook, I know.)

Not really selfish. I agree with you on this, and it makes us all more effective and hence, more professional, in our roles as umpires. I, like the rest of you, was relieved to see that "about to receive" clause go by the wayside, and will be glad when all other sanctioning bodies follow suit.

[FUBLUE]

I'm in total agreement here. It eliminates that argument coaches used to use "...but the ball wasn't between the runner and the fielder" or "the ball was between the runner and the fielder" or whatever else they use to argue when they are wrong (or trying to convince an umpire THEY are right).

By the old wording, a lot of opinion came into play. As mentioned before, what is "about to receive"? How can we be consistent without consistent, clear wording?

The new wording just clarifies for umpires the intent of the rule, which was to eliminate a defensive advantage of keeping the runner from reaching the base, then tagging them out. It makes the game better, because we will CONSISTENTLY enforce rules.

[shipwreck]

Do you think we will see a lot more obstruction calls on pick-off attempts at first base? It seems like many times on a pick-off attempt at first, the fielder gets in the runners way somewhat before the ball gets there. Dave

[Andy]

Originally posted by shipwreck
Do you think we will see a lot more obstruction calls on pick-off attempts at first base? It seems like many times on a pick-off attempt at first, the fielder gets in the runners way somewhat before the ball gets there. Dave

I hope so. This is one area that I really tried concentrating on last year only to get a slate of HS games where the catcher would rarely throw down to first on a pickoff play.

I agree that too many F3s and F4s try to block the returning runner from first base. The issue is that it happens so fast, that the umpire really has to be on his toes to catch it.

[Dakota]

BTW, coreyboy, and welcome to the board!

Tell us a little about yourself.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by shipwreck
Do you think we will see a lot more obstruction calls on pick-off attempts at first base? It seems like many times on a pick-off attempt at first, the fielder gets in the runners way somewhat before the ball gets there. Dave

Then you should have been calling obstruction. Nothing new there.

[Skahtboi]

Originally posted by IRISHMAFIA

Then you should have been calling obstruction. Nothing new there.

Didn't we have a discussion similar to this last year?

[Dakota]

Originally posted by Skahtboi

Didn't we have a discussion similar to this last year?

I can't tell... they've disabled search on this board! (This has been a perennial topic...)

[FUBLUE]

Mr. Mafia---

You're right we should have been calling it for a long time...but few ever do. Unlike a "normal" obstruction call, we can't really hesitate too long to get the left arm out...we have a simultaneous play...so we (right?) must call dead ball, obstructed runner and award the runner first base. (or second, or third or home).

I had a coach recently, in discussing this rule with me, say that he's still going to teach his fielders to block the base. In his words, until umpires start calling it, why not block the base? And at first he said, "what's the worst you're going to call? Obstruction, and give the runner first. We win both ways...could get an out, but if obstruction is called, we get the runner back on first." (Unlike the old-time rule of awarding the next base--FEDERATION BALL).