obstruction???

[greymule]

I was simply following the progression from:

1. the OP, which follows strict ASA, where the runner altering her stride before the fielder has the ball means OBS and the runner is safe, to
2. runner alters her stride but would have been out anyway, which according to at least one ASA authority results in an out, not OBS, to
3. Babe Ruth/OBR, in which OBS is under some circumstances disregarded; under these codes, OBS is also not necessarily a delayed dead ball

And NCAA, in which a fielder in the immediate act of fielding a throw can, without the ball, get in the runner's way without committing OBS.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by greymule

And NCAA, in which a fielder in the immediate act of fielding a throw can, without the ball, get in the runner's way without committing OBS.

If I were king for a day.. we would go back to that.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

If I were king for a day.. we would go back to that.

Which many questionable umpires would use as an excuse to not make the tough call like they did when the "about to receive" was still in ASA & NFHS.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Which many questionable umpires would use as an excuse to not make the tough call like they did when the "about to receive" was still in ASA & NFHS.

Yes, I can remember umpires explaining not making the OBS call because the ball was "on its way" from the outfield, or because the fielder was set "ready to receive" the ball (which was who knows where).

[Andy]

I have to agree with Mike and Tom on this one. "About to receive" gave too many poor and/or lazy umpires an excuse not to call obstruction.

Wade - I have no doubt that you have the experience and judgement necessary to sucessfully apply "about to receive", but you have to realize that the majority of umpires out there are not as committed to learning and appying the rules as most of us who frequent this, and other boards.

[CecilOne]

Anyone want to talk about how you judge runner hindrance or "how hindered" the runner has to be for OBS to apply. I'm thinking mostly about plays right at the base when the defense is setting up to receive a throw, at least partly in the way.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

Anyone want to talk about how you judge runner hindrance or "how hindered" the runner has to be for OBS to apply. I'm thinking mostly about plays right at the base when the defense is setting up to receive a throw, at least partly in the way.

If, in my judgement, the defense is blocking access to the base and the runner does anything to react as a result, then you have OBS. This "anything to react" could be sliding earlier than normal, veering to one side or another, slowing or pulling up...etc.