Base Line and Verbal Obstruction?

[GaryBarrentine]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

You're correct, up to the point of the exception. If they are in the act of fielding a batted ball, or if they are in possession of the ball, then they're fine. This is where we start to get into the whole debate of "was that obstruction or not?"

Sorry, forgot to include interference in my exception.

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

By rule, OBS does not have to be physical. It can be verbal. However, just because a player says something to a runner does not mean you should call OBS. Be very judicial when calling verbal OBS on the defense.

Look, chatter is chatter. It's up to you to decide A) is it unsportsmanlike and B) is it worth picking the nit?

Then again, I haven't called girls' games in 12 years, so...

So one umpire may think that this chatter is USC or Verbal OBS, where another may not? So would this be considered a judgment call and not protestable?

Thanks

GaryB