Opinions please.

[Tru_in_Blu]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Yes, just as I would with a fake tag which, by definition, this is.

Technically, I believe the above statement is correct, as the definition of a fake tag is:

A form of obstruction by a fielder who attempts to tag a runner without the ball and thereby impedes a runner advancing or returning to a base.
In my catcher misses ball but tries to tag runner anyway scenario, I'm unlikely to call OBS since the runner scored anyway.

I'm more likely to call OBS when F5 positions him/herself on the base and pretends to be in the act of receiving a throw from the outfield in an attempt to get the runner to slide into the base or slow down when in fact no play is being made on that runner. In fact, I have called that exact play a couple of times in the past couple of years and added a warning to the coach and player that it better not happen again.

I think this is one of those rules where intent actually does come into play, as in the intent of the defender attempting to deceive a baserunner. While this is acceptable practice in MLB and is seen quite often on a run and hit where the runner doesn't pick up where the batted ball is, I think the actual intent for ASA and other associations is to not allow this deception. So maybe this is one of those rules that might use a bit of wordsmithing.

A tag without the ball in almost all cases will result in OBS, but not UC or MC. A "pretend" tag would carry the additional penalty of UC.