Obstruction/Missed Base

[NCASAUmp]

Okay, let me clarify. If it's 10U, and the girls just don't know any better, that's one thing. Pull the coach aside and give them a little education on OBS. No need to be a jackass at that level.

However, if this is 18U, those girls already know how to play. They know the game, and they know right from wrong. If I see fielders intentionally obstructing runners in a fashion described here, their coach is gonna shape up real quick. That's not softball, that's a willful violation of the rules, and someone can/will get tossed for that.

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Okay, let me clarify. If it's 10U, and the girls just don't know any better, that's one thing. Pull the coach aside and give them a little education on OBS. No need to be a jackass at that level.

However, if this is 18U, those girls already know how to play. They know the game, and they know right from wrong. If I see fielders intentionally obstructing runners in a fashion described here, their coach is gonna shape up real quick. That's not softball, that's a willful violation of the rules, and someone can/will get tossed for that.

How would you determine that? What if a coach taught the technique in practice but doesn't utter a word to his/her players during the game, knowing they'll do it anyway? Not trying to be an a**, just devil's advocate.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Okay, you have all gone from a real simple scenario about a runner "possibly" missing a base to possible ramifications of some absurd coaching plot to deprive good young Americans from touching a base. Damn pinko-commie ba$tards!!!!

AFAIC, the runner can and should make every attempt to touch the base shy of pushing/hitting the defender. There is a given remedy for such action by the defense called "obstruction". I assume you have all heard of this rule before? Pretty sure that is what we are talking about here.

If the player just stands there because she cannot touch the base, I'm tagging on an extra base for about every 2.5 seconds she is kept from advancing. Of course, for the coach to teach this, s/he would have to have a lot of confidence the umpire is going to know the proper way to handle it.

Can you get rid of a player who is intentionally violating the rules? Sure, but I don't think that is where bwbuddy was going with this.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Okay, you have all gone from a real simple scenario about a runner "possibly" missing a base to possible ramifications of some absurd coaching plot to deprive good young Americans from touching a base. Damn pinko-commie ba$tards!!!!

Oh, come on, Mike... What good is a forum if we can't go down some rabbit holes?

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by Ref Ump Welsch

How would you determine that? What if a coach taught the technique in practice but doesn't utter a word to his/her players during the game, knowing they'll do it anyway? Not trying to be an a**, just devil's advocate.

If I see a coach's players repeatedly and deliberately standing on the bases with clear intent to do so, I'm going to say something to the coach under the guise of "preventative umpiring."

"Coach, I've been calling OBS on just about every play. Your fielders can't just stand on the bases and block the runners unless they have the ball. Understand?"

See what he says then.

"But, Blue... That's what they're taught to do!"