Obstruction Rule Clarification/explanation, PLEASE!!

[Dakota]

The only thing I would add to the discussion on OBS is what I said in earlier posts... merely blocking the base or being in the base path without the ball is NOT obstruction, and the rules / POE writers did all umpires a disservice by making it seem so. Too many umpires are taking the thing literally. The runner MUST be impeded for there to be OBS.

Originally Posted by 4Beemer

and appeals, please.

There are three types of appeals:
1) Live ball appeals
2) Dead ball appeals, and
3) Requesting the umpire to get help. (This one is not really an appeal, but all coaches, catchers, etc., call it an appeal, so...)

1) Live ball appeals. You know about this one already, but maybe not by this name. The typical live ball appeal is the defender tagging the base that a runner has left early on a caught fly or a missed base. This kind of appeal must be executed by the players (obviously) and while the ball is live (obviously).

2) Dead ball appeals. This covers missed bases, bases left early on a caught fly, batting out of order, etc. TIME must be called (or the ball must be dead for other reasons - such as going out of play). The ball does not need to be thrown anywhere for a dead ball appeal. All that is necessary is, after the ball is dead and the runners have completed their base running duties - note that in some circumstances, a runner can return to touch a base missed, etc., during the dead ball - the umpire be told what is being appealed ... "Blue, the runner left 1B early." In High School ball, the coach is allowed to make this appeal, as are the players.

3) Asking the umpire to go for help. The typical case here is a checked swing. The catcher, or the coach, may ask the plate umpire to go to his partner if the plate umpire rules no swing / ball. The plate umpire (in High School ball) is not REQUIRED to honor this, but is encouraged to do so. This can be done during a live ball, but the coach MUST stay in the dugout.

The coach may not approach the umpire during a live ball. Request TIME first, and wait for TIME to be granted before entering the field.