High School Obstruction ??

[DaveASA/FED]

I agree with the other posts mentioned. I would say one additional thing to sharpen your eye for leaving early. When I have someone that is close to leaving early, or when fans of a coach are really bit...nagg...complaining (good PC word) about it I will do the following. Give up looking for an IP, and watch the runner first, concentrate on their last foot that is on the bag (if they are rocking and getting a running start the lead foot will be off the bag WAY early but that back foot hangs in there for a while. So watch that back foot, as soon as you see seperation switch your eyes to the pitcher, where is the ball??? Has she released it, then it's legal! Does F1 still have it, then they are leaving early, call the dead ball and the out.

Again I don't reccommend this as a common practice for an umpire as you are not able to watch for IP's, and you are a little slower in getting your eyes to the plate for a check swing appeal (not usually as big of a loss as not seeing IP's since you can usually follow the ball and see most of a check swing situation). But this is good to reassure yourself about someone that everyone in the park but you thinks is leaving early!! Also it's a good way for fans to see what is really going on if someone would train them to look at it correctly.

Palmer,
I am not saying you are not watching correctly, just venting about some fans and coaches I have dealt with over the years!