OBS at 1st

[JefferMC]

I'm probably writing the wrong audience, because this wouldn't be an issue with the caliber of umpires that are on this board, but...

Last night I was watching a 15U recreational game. Several times I watched one team's first baseman set up to receive the throw with her left heel on the foul line and her toe in foul territory. Single bag first base. Most of the time, it didn't matter, as the throw was horrible and the player had to leave this position to try to get the ball, or the throw was plenty early and there was no real affect on the BR.

However, on at least one occasion the play was close, the BR slowed on the last few steps to try to step over the first basemans leg and as a result got beaten by a tiny fraction of a second and was called OUT by the BU. The entire bench of the offensive team was up screaming that the first baseman was blocking the base and the coach wisely told them to quiet down. However, the coach just ate the call and went on with the game.

Me, I would have had to had a talk with the BU. Pretend you were this BU: What words out of my mouth would be the most likely to make you, as BU, re-examine this situation and at least wonder if you got this call wrong.

I've thought of:

"Did you see the runner slow to step over the first baseman's leg?"

or

"What was missing from that play for you to have called obstruction?"

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by JefferMC

I've thought of:

"Did you see the runner slow to step over the first baseman's leg?"

or

"What was missing from that play for you to have called obstruction?"

The first is probably the best starting point, and less confrontational than the 2nd. If he says no, discussion over, and maybe point out where F3 has been playing and ask him to watch for possible obstruction on future plays. If he says yes, then you ask him the 2nd question ... once he has said yes, he has given you enough to protest if he doesn't overturn himself.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by JefferMC

I'm probably writing the wrong audience, because this wouldn't be an issue with the caliber of umpires that are on this board, but...

Last night I was watching a 15U recreational game. Several times I watched one team's first baseman set up to receive the throw with her left heel on the foul line and her toe in foul territory. Single bag first base. Most of the time, it didn't matter, as the throw was horrible and the player had to leave this position to try to get the ball, or the throw was plenty early and there was no real affect on the BR.

However, on at least one occasion the play was close, the BR slowed on the last few steps to try to step over the first basemans leg and as a result got beaten by a tiny fraction of a second and was called OUT by the BU. The entire bench of the offensive team was up screaming that the first baseman was blocking the base and the coach wisely told them to quiet down. However, the coach just ate the call and went on with the game.

Me, I would have had to had a talk with the BU. Pretend you were this BU: What words out of my mouth would be the most likely to make you, as BU, re-examine this situation and at least wonder if you got this call wrong.

I've thought of:

"Did you see the runner slow to step over the first baseman's leg?"

or

"What was missing from that play for you to have called obstruction?"

What was missing from that play for it to be OBS? That would be a workable question, I would think.

[NCASAUmp]

If I were the BU, the way I would want a coach to handle it with decency would go like this... Coach asks for time, and calmly approaches me. "Blue, I believe I saw the first baseman's leg in the basepath. Did you see that as well?"

If no, "Could you ask your partner if s/he saw it, too?"

If yes, "Then how can that not be obstruction if first didn't have the ball?"

In most cases where it's suggested to me (politely) that there was another component to the play that I may have missed, I'm much more willing to talk it over with my partner and try to get the call correct. Remember: we're human, too (even though some umps look like RoboUmp when they put all their gear on).

[DaveASA/FED]

I think I would have said something to blue the first time I saw her blocking the base without the ball. That would have heightened his/her awareness of the situation and when it did matter it might have helped get the call right initially.

My suggestion is the first time you see her setup where it would have been OBS, just say something like "Blue can you watch how that f3 sets up please, I know my runner didn't react cause she moved so there is no OBS, but on a close play sure looks like there would be OBS" Also might add something about being worried about injury as there is no where for your runner to run and be able to contact the base without making contact. Again attitude is everything, never make that sound like your runner is going to plow F3 if she is there, or make them feel like you think they missed a call (that is why I mentioned saying "I know my runner didn't react so there is no OBS") another reason it is sometimes easier to plant the seed so to speak early when there is not an issue, rather than wait till someones ego might have them defending a call they have or haven't made.

Just another idea how to handle it

[archangel]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

The first is probably the best starting point, and less confrontational than the 2nd. If he says no, discussion over, and maybe point out where F3 has been playing and ask him to watch for possible obstruction on future plays. If he says yes, then you ask him the 2nd question ... once he has said yes, he has given you enough to protest if he doesn't overturn himself.

I would not answer the 2nd Q because I wont answer a hypothetical Q from a coach....

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by archangel

I would not answer the 2nd Q because I wont answer a hypothetical Q from a coach....

I don't think the 2nd question is hypothetical at all. It's not a what if... it's a question asking what in the actual situation happened to lead the umpire to not rule OBS.