Diff of Opinion - Obstruction Jurisdiction

[SC Ump]

From previous posts, it seems that my opinion on who has the right to call obstruction/interference is different than most, if not all, others here. I would like some additional information on this, even though this might not be the first time I have to accept that I am right and everyone else is wrong (he says tongue-in-cheek.)

AtlUmpSteve posted some very good information from several different rules books and umpiring manuals concerning communicating with your partner. It got me thinking that I have heard many folks state that they think it is proper for any umpire to call obstruction and interference anytime they see it. However, I have not seen that as part of official publications.

Does anyone have examples?

[mcrowder]

Not sure what the difference of opinion is, as you didn't say...

But ANY umpire can call ANY obstruction he sees on the field. It's not poaching if the OBS you see happens to be closer to your partner(s) than you - they may have responsibilities causing them to look elsewhere momentarily.

[LIBLUE]

Imho I would never call obstruction if my partner was closer and was looking directly at the play. That's showing him up. Now if he came to me between innings and asked me for my opinion I'd tell him.

[CecilOne]

It's one of the things I watch for as PU when there is no play at the plate, especially while the BU is getting to an inside position.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by LIBLUE

Imho I would never call obstruction if my partner was closer and was looking directly at the play. That's showing him up. Now if he came to me between innings and asked me for my opinion I'd tell him.

No, it's not. This is not like football where it's taboo to "fish in the other guy's pond". There are calls that specifically belong to certain umpires. OBS (and INT) is not one of them. Often, even if BU is closer, his focus is on what is about to happen. Finding the ball, hustling to position, setting up for the play at a base, etc. Much of the time, OBS is behind that focus. Think about it... as BU, are you watching the baserunner 100% of the time? Hope not. And since you aren't, it's entirely possible that OBS occurs while your focus is elsewhere. And also - with PU responsible for the touch of first base in some cases, PU is focused on the most common spot for OBS, while BU is elsewhere.

If someone calls OBS in "your area" as BU, you should NOT consider this showing him up. There is a reason clinics tell you that OBS is everyone's call. Don't be offended if your partner understands that.

[Andy]

I agree that OBS or INT can be called by any umpire on the field.

What I will do if in the situation where my partner is closer to the play than I am and I am sure I have the violation, is wait a split second for my partner to signal and/or call the violation. If my partner does nothing after that split second, I will take the appropriate actions.

Here's a play I had some time ago: I am PU, R1 on second, BU partner in C position. Ball is hit over F6's head into left field. BU starts to break inside. As BU is moving in, R1 collides with F6 in front of and a few steps to the side of BU. I am following the ball into the outfield, but clearly see the collision. BU makes no signal, so I go out with the left arm DDB. At the conclusion of the play, appropriate bases are awarded and we continue.

I ask my partner later why he did not signal anything, he said that he was focused on getting inside and did not see the collision.

[SC Ump]

Originally Posted by Andy

I agree that OBS or INT can be called by any umpire on the field.

That's the difference of opinion I was talking of. I have always believed that the call belongs to the umpire responsible for that player at that time.

I was wondering if anyone has references in umpire manuals or rule books of any organization that state any umpire seeing the action should make the call, not just the one responsible for the runner.

(For the equation to football, I've only done that for a year. I don't think that is a free-for-all, either. In my football position of umpire, I would not call roughing the passer or a face mask out on the wings.)