Difficult Situation #1: OBS on 1B Line

[tcannizzo]

R1 on 1B with no outs.
B2 bunts ball on 3B line.
F3 obstructs BR about 20 feet from home plate.

Obviously, this is PU's call, but PU is also responsible for the 3B line and whether this bunt will be fair or foul, and in doing so does not see the OBS on the 1B line.

Also, BU can and should make the call, but because moving in from the B position, trying to determine which way the play is going to go 5-6 or 5-4 also does not see the OBS.

I think this is just a case where there is always a spot on the field that doesn't have blue eyes on it.

What say ye?

[U of M Sam]

How can neither ump see OBS in the play described? Also, was ball fair and B2 thrown out at 1st? I am not sure why BU has to "move in" to determine which way the play will go prior to the ball being fielded. BU should be able to react properly to this play from his B position.
This sounds like a situation where the umps need to communicate better with each other.

[Andy]

I'll agree with your assumption that the PU may not see the OBS as he is focusing on the ball near the base line. However, the BU is 70+ feet away with a wide view of the whole thing. The BU should be able to pick up the OBS on the BR going to first base.

Also, the BU should not be "moving in" for two reasons:

a) you have a runner going from first to second in front of you

b) from a proper B position you have a good angle on a play at either first or second. Once the fielder gets to the ball, let the play take you to one base or the other.

[tcannizzo]

"Moving in" might be a poor choice of wording.

In order to let the ball take BU to where the play is, BU must be looking at the ball which is on the 3B line. Getting a good read requires some focus which might hinder peripheral vision along the 1B line.

This sounds like a situation where the umps need to communicate better with each other.

Sam,
Please describe how you would have communicated in this situcation.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by tcannizzo
R1 on 1B with no outs.
B2 bunts ball on 3B line.
F3 obstructs BR about 20 feet from home plate.

Obviously, this is PU's call, but PU is also responsible for the 3B line and whether this bunt will be fair or foul, and in doing so does not see the OBS on the 1B line.

Also, BU can and should make the call, but because moving in from the B position, trying to determine which way the play is going to go 5-6 or 5-4 also does not see the OBS.

I think this is just a case where there is always a spot on the field that doesn't have blue eyes on it.

What say ye?

Speaking ASA

What makes you think this is the PU's call? INT & OBS are the responsibility of all umpires on the field. For these two possible violations, you call what you see from your position. The PU's primary is always the batted ball unless a BU goes out on a fly ball.

If the umpire missed it, s/he missed it. It happens when there are multiple runners assigned to a single umpire. You watch what you can and try to observe as much as possible.

[tcannizzo]

Oh hello Mike,

What makes you think the main point of the post was that it was the PU's call? Especially with the next sentence in the text.

Good to hear from you.
Tony

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by tcannizzo
Oh hello Mike,

What makes you think the main point of the post was that it was the PU's call? Especially with the next sentence in the text.

Good to hear from you.
Tony

I didn't think that was the main point. I simply asked what made you think the OBS was the PU's call, after all, that is what is stated in the original message.