Obstruction??

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Little League baseball (maybe softball too, though not sure) to indicate a runner left too soon. The umpire drops the flag and lets the play finish. I think killing the ball and calling a runner out for leaving early is a lot easier to deal with but that's Little League for you.

Winner!

If you were the baseball-only LL guy I last worked with about 5 years ago you would have dropped a red flag in a softball game, then said, "Seth, she left early!" while pointing at it. Otherwise, the correct call is no pitch and an out.

I think LLBB keeps its rule the way it is to keep from becoming too different from "real" baseball.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by SethPDX

Winner!

If you were the baseball-only LL guy I last worked with about 5 years ago you would have dropped a red flag in a softball game, then said, "Seth, she left early!" while pointing at it. Otherwise, the correct call is no pitch and an out.

Hehe...let me guess "OK then, she's out!"

I think LLBB keeps its rule the way it is to keep from becoming too different from "real" baseball.

Could be...but oddly enough, PONY league seems to have figured this one out without all the red flag silliness.

[Andy]

I think I verbalize it more than I don't.

Of course, I have been working a very low level rec league the past few weeks and if I verbalized obstruction every time it happened, that's about all that I would be saying out there!

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Hehe...let me guess "OK then, she's out!"

Yes, we got that taken care of. I should have got together with him, told him the rule, and finished with "Fix it!"


I don't really like the red flag either, and not just because I have to remember which pocket in my equipment bag I keep it in.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by ronald

Dave,

No. It goes: Does a bear sh... in the woods? and Is the Pope Catholic?

Can't tell if you are being funny.

I think a few years ago, the question became:

"Is the Pope Polish?"

(now it's back to the original ...

[MakeDacall]

Originally Posted by clev1967

3rd inning of tonight's game on play where Florida runner had to be held up. SS made her alter her path to third? If you saw it do you think it was obstruction? I did. Close but she for sure altered her path to third.

Also, if it is called in that situation and she is thrown out at home and it is somewhat close do you give her home?

The problem is most umpires are not calling it correctly. There is so much variance by crew that you can not even prepare for such things. Slow mo on TV is not an option when making the call.

[SethPDX]

Originally Posted by MakeDacall

The problem is most umpires are not calling it correctly. There is so much variance by crew that you can not even prepare for such things.

All crews, or just the ones you see?

I'd say most ASA and NFHS umpires have a good idea of what obstruction is.

[charliej47]

I have always verbalized and pointed. I did a game last Saturday and my partner who came out from behind the plate and he heard me say it. I said he thought I was too picky on my call. I informed him by what judgement I went by and he agreed with me.

[txtrooper]

When I see OBS, I state OBS in a normal tone and give the visual DDB signal to let the runner know that I have observed the violation. The award is made after the play, if necessary. When I see INT, I give an immediate strong verbal dead ball call and provide the visual dead ball signal as well.