Dirty trick, but illegal?
 

ASA or NFHS rule set, tournament play. While in position as third base coach, I found that whenever we had a runner on first base, the big first baseman would move to a position between me and my base runner so she could not see my signs. As I moved closer or farther from home plate to get a better angle and my base runner stretched to see me as far as she could and still keep a foot on the bag, the first baseman would move accordingly, obviously to keep blocking the view. This delayed the game because my batter would not get set to receive a pitch while I was trying to give signs. In the actual game, I settled for letting our first base coach relay the signs to the base runners, even though this was a disadvantage. Question is, in this situation, if coach had asked for time and complained about this practice, would you as umpire have taken any action, possibly under UC or delay of game rules? Thanks for replies.

Not illegal, try to avoid involvement of possible.
If repeated and I believed it, I might ask the defense coach to have F3 stand still so the runner can see the offense coach, then observe what happens.
If continues and appearing deliberate to me, I might point out to the defense coach that good sportsmanship is important and expected.
Then, ...

Old School
 

Fix it the next time the first base person comes up to bat.

I sure hope you aren't advocating what I think you are. You would hit a kid who has probably been coached to do this? That makes you much more wrong than she is.

As far as the OP goes, I have nothing to do with coaching or "anti-coaching." Therefore, all you will get from me if you complain is, well, nothing.

Try using a first base coach to coach the runner on first base.

Why would you want to give up the advantage of being able to move F3 at will? ;)

Paul

I have seen a drastic increase in our area within the past 6 months of coaches calling out numbers: 7-4-8, 6-2-1, etc.

After the sign has been given
 

The defensive coach will always be free to move F3 after the sign has been given...the question is about delaying the game while F3 plays games with the coach at third base by blocking the view.

As someone who umpires both baseball and fastpitch softball, and more importlantly, the father of two sons who play first base. I can see nothing wrong with the first baseman is doing. It is neither unsportsmanlike nor is it illegal. It is not the umpires' problem.

MTD, Sr.

Next thing you know the coaches will want the umpire to make F3 position themselves somewhere else besides the baseline!

There are YP's and MP's.. (Your Problem and My Problem)

This is a YP.

Oops, never mind.

To heck wit 'em. It's ain't my job to position defenders. I'll tell a base coach to get his butt back in the box if he's standing in the way...but a player, never. Not my problem. Never. Ever.

Question is, in this situation, if coach had asked for time and complained about this practice, would you as umpire have taken any action, possibly under UC or delay of game rules? Thanks for replies.

Yes. On your batter for not getting set in the batter's box. You're welcome.

Bob

If F3 was not moving to position himself for a play but was deliberately trying to obstruct the view of the runner, yes I would take action under rule 9.01 c & d.

(c) Each umpire has authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules.
(d) Each umpire has authority to disqualify any player, coach, manager or substitute for objecting to decisions or for unsportsmanlike conduct or language, and to eject such disqualified person from the playing field. If an umpire disqualifies a player while a play is in progress, the disqualification shall not take effect until no further action is possible in that play.

Since I do not have my ASA Fastpitch Rules Book in front of me but do have my NFHS Fastpitch Softball Rules in front of me I will confine my comments to NFHS Rules.


Stripe:

Please tell me you are joking. First, we are discussing NFHS fastpitch softball rules, not OBR rules; wrong sport. Second, even if we were discussing NFHS fastpitch softball rules, NFHS R10-S2-A3g does not apply. The first baseman can position herself anywhere she wants in fair territory. The offense is going to get over it. Please read my earlier post in this thread.

MTD, Sr.

Don't know to which rules set you are referring, but IMHO, your reaction is that which can only be described as over-officious. Other than the catcher and pitcher, there is NO rule which permits an umpire to tell any other fielder where to stand as long as it is in fair territory.

i think bandit has the right answer!!

As much as I'd like to do something - I agree with everyone on the fact that I can't. It's something you have to handle. Do you have a problem with stealing signals too? Signaling pitch locations from base runners? Where do you draw the line in the area of what may or may not be deemed unsportsmanship? Unfortunately, I don't feel this falls in that area - as Wade said - it's a YP.

That's a cop-out. Those rules are NOT written to allow an umpire to penalize a player for doing something WELL within the rules. There is NOTHING unsportsmanlike about F3 moving, as long as it doesn't become obstruction.

If you EVER invoke 9.01 c & d in situations like this, I hope the coach/manager has the brains to protest. And to write a complaining letter to the league, and your assignor. It's not an umpire's job to assist a team that hasn't a clue on how to relay signals.

Bob

Mountaineer:

I and my two sons (ages 14 and 17), both of whom are baseball players, disagree with you most vigorously. Stealing signs is not unsportsmanlike conduct. It is just part of the game. They both agree that the catcher is not doing his/her job if he/she allows a base runner to steal the pitch signs. Stealing signs is not unsportsmanlike conduct. It is just part of the game. It is equally not unsportsmanlike if the defense can decipher the base coaches’ signals to the batter and base runners. It is just part of the game.

MTD, Sr.

Either I didn't make my position clear or you misunderstood - I don't think it's unsporting either.

Mountaineer:

Me sorry. I guess I am getting senile in my old age.

MTD, Sr.