obstruction Fed vs ASA

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by MGKBLUE

I agree that the wording should not be included, however, the interpretaion from the ASA State UIC is to take the Rule Supplement wording as stated.

I hate to disagree with your UIC, but I think the interp is dead wrong. To start, it doesn't meet the definition of obstruction.

That statement is part of a direction which was being used to get the coaches and players to understand the change in the rule. This one sentence was not meant to stand independent.

If the runner is not affected by the defender's action, it is nothing.

[ronald]

Thanks fellow umps!

Ron

[MGKBLUE]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

I hate to disagree with your UIC, but I think the interp is dead wrong. To start, it doesn't meet the definition of obstruction.

That statement is part of a direction which was being used to get the coaches and players to understand the change in the rule. This one sentence was not meant to stand independent.

If the runner is not affected by the defender's action, it is nothing.

I agree with you, but when in Rome.

My wish, is ASA drop the wording as state this interp does not meet the obstruction definition.

[mashie59]

My very frank opinion on this is that if the first baseman .... in a lot of cases is obstructing the path of the runner without yet having the ball ... then I tell my player to speed up and barrel right through that player. In a game we had the other night .... the first baseman got the feathers knocked out of him by my player. I explicitly instructed him to run right through this first baseman if he was in his way without the ball. I talked with the umpire between innings and he agreed.

[rwest]

Originally Posted by mashie59

My very frank opinion on this is that if the first baseman .... in a lot of cases is obstructing the path of the runner without yet having the ball ... then I tell my player to speed up and barrel right through that player. In a game we had the other night .... the first baseman got the feathers knocked out of him by my player. I explicitly instructed him to run right through this first baseman if he was in his way without the ball. I talked with the umpire between innings and he agreed.

In FED if there is malicious contact, that player is done for the day.

[mashie59]

So we can all agree then that a first baseman can get in the way of a the player running to first base when he does not have the ball. The baserunner should then yield to the first baseman, slow down, and allow the first baseman to get in his way while he waits for the ball. So this provides a clear advantage to the first baseman in slowing up the base runner and giving himself a clear advantage slowing down the runner. Why not come down the first baseline a few more steps and really give yourself, as the first baseman. an even better advantage?

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by mashie59

So we can all agree then that a first baseman can get in the way of a the player running to first base when he does not have the ball. The baserunner should then yield to the first baseman, slow down, and allow the first baseman to get in his way while he waits for the ball. So this provides a clear advantage to the first baseman in slowing up the base runner and giving himself a clear advantage slowing down the runner. Why not come down the first baseline a few more steps and really give yourself, as the first baseman. an even better advantage?

*sigh*

No. Are you even reading this thread? If a runner is obstructed, they're awarded the base they would have reached had there been no obstruction.

In my opinion, the runner should make an attempt to avoid contact. If I see them barrel a fielder over for ANY reason, I've got an ejection coming.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by mashie59

So we can all agree then that a first baseman can get in the way of a the player running to first base when he does not have the ball.

Other than you, no one has made such a comment.

The baserunner should then yield to the first baseman, slow down, and allow the first baseman to get in his way while he waits for the ball.

Absolutely.

So this provides a clear advantage to the first baseman in slowing up the base runner and giving himself a clear advantage slowing down the runner. Why not come down the first baseline a few more steps and really give yourself, as the first baseman. an even better advantage?

That is why there are rules in the game and those rules do not include physical assaults of other players. As any 9th grader knows, that would be obstruction which protects the offense from being put out between the bases where this obstruction occurred. This apparently obscure (to you) rule even allows the umpire to award the runner any additional bases the runner would have attained safely, in the umpire's judgment, had the obstruction not occurred. However, this rule is void if the obstructed runner commits an act of interference. D'oh ! !

Thank you for playing.

[CajunNewBlue]

Originally Posted by mashie59

So we can all agree then that a first baseman can get in the way of a the player running to first base when he does not have the ball. The baserunner should then yield to the first baseman, slow down, and allow the first baseman to get in his way while he waits for the ball. So this provides a clear advantage to the first baseman in slowing up the base runner and giving himself a clear advantage slowing down the runner. Why not come down the first baseline a few more steps and really give yourself, as the first baseman. an even better advantage?

I never agreed to that.

[NCASAUmp]

I smell something under the bridge... What is that familiar scent?

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by mashie59

My very frank opinion on this is that if the first baseman .... in a lot of cases is obstructing the path of the runner without yet having the ball ... then I tell my player to speed up and barrel right through that player. In a game we had the other night .... the first baseman got the feathers knocked out of him by my player. I explicitly instructed him to run right through this first baseman if he was in his way without the ball. I talked with the umpire between innings and he agreed.

I know that when I played, we policed ourselves, for the most part. I know full well what would have occurred when your football playing runner next came to bat. And we were "smart" enough not to talk about it. But that was men's fastpitch some years ago. I suspect you're a fool, Mashie. And so is the umpire who agreed with you, if he actually did. The obstruction should have been called and the intentional running into a defender should have been dealt with.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by mashie59

My very frank opinion on this is that if the first baseman .... in a lot of cases is obstructing the path of the runner without yet having the ball ... then I tell my player to speed up and barrel right through that player. In a game we had the other night .... the first baseman got the feathers knocked out of him by my player. I explicitly instructed him to run right through this first baseman if he was in his way without the ball. I talked with the umpire between innings and he agreed.

Then you and your player(s) are idiots. You are also criminals. You and your players would be ejected and if I thought it was intentional, I would volunteer my time to be a witness for the first baseman at the civil trial where he takes away your house.

Other than that it is just a stupid play. Of course, this is just a very frank opinion.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Then you and your player(s) are idiots. You are also criminals. You and your players would be ejected and if I thought it was intentional, I would volunteer my time to be a witness for the first baseman at the civil trial where he takes away your house.

Other than that it is just a stupid play. Of course, this is just a very frank opinion.

Damn, you beat me to it.

[SethPDX]

We tell off one jack@zz, we get another. Life goes on...

Originally Posted by SethPDX

We tell off one jack@zz, we get another. Life goes on...

Thus the average night for a slow-pitch umpire doing rec leagues.