Would you hav called OBS ?

[Chess Ref]

ASA 14U. Batter drops a bunt about 4-5 feet in front of home plate. Good catcher gets the ball and I then look up the 1B line and the slow lumbering first baseman runs into the batter before the running lane. If it matters the F3 was no where near where the ball was. It knocked the runner off balance and to the other side of the running lane. I came up with Obstruction on F3. The coaches argument was the player was in fair territory.

Should I have passed on this OBS call ?

[wadeintothem]

99% of obstruction calls happen in fair territory... thats where it happens.

this was clearly OBS, especially if that was the coaches argument.

The only way its not OBS is if it was INT for INT w/ F3 fielding a batted ball, if that wasnt the case, its OBS.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Chess Ref

ASA 14U. Batter drops a bunt about 4-5 feet in front of home plate. Good catcher gets the ball and I then look up the 1B line and the slow lumbering first baseman runs into the batter before the running lane. If it matters the F3 was no where near where the ball was. It knocked the runner off balance and to the other side of the running lane. I came up with Obstruction on F3. The coaches argument was the player was in fair territory.

Should I have passed on this OBS call ?

Well, if F2 has the ball, obviously F3 has no play on a batted ball. Position of runner is irrelevant.

Tell the coach it is time to read the rule book.

[Mr Ump]

You made the correct call.

[Andy]

Chess - Good call......

I had a similar call last summer in a 16uB tournament game. Same situation, bunt to the pitcher, BR has to veer around F3 as she was running to first base. I signal the DDB and kill the play when the ball is thrown to 1st for the apparent out. Place the BR on first and prepare to explain the call to the defensive coach now approaching me.

His main argument was that the batter was not in the running lane. I explained that the running lane had nothing to do with this play, but he wouldn't let go. I eventually realized that nothing was going to be gained from this discussion and continued the game. Who knows..could be the same coach you had....