High School Obstruction ??

[argodad]

Originally Posted by 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.

Many years ago when I was coaching, I told my girls, "If the other fans aren't complaining that you are leaving early, then you aren't leaving early enough."

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.

I watch the pitcher for IP as usual, but shift my focus to the back foot when the P reaches 12 o'clock in her circle. If it is still on the base, she's legal.

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

I was U1 in a three-umpire crew with a fast, aggressive runner on 1B. Of course, I was looking right through her at the pitcher. Fans were STILL yelling at me that she was leaving early. She was legal.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by argodad

Many years ago when I was coaching, I told my girls, "If the other fans aren't complaining that you are leaving early, then you aren't leaving early enough."

Since this has morphed into a leaving early discussion, I will share my story around the quote above:

Last year, HS Varsity game between two pretty good teams. Coach of Team B is a well known and respected Gold travel ball coach in the area. F6 of Team A plays for Coach B during the travel ball season. Game is being played at Team A home field.

Bottom of first. Team A coming to bat, F6 is leadoff hitter. Coach B walks by me and says - If she (F6) gets on, watch her leaving early. I taught her to do that, but I'll be d*mned if she's going to do it to me in this game!

[JefferMC]

Originally Posted by Andy

Since this has morphed into a leaving early discussion, I will share my story around the quote above:

Last year, HS Varsity game between two pretty good teams. Coach of Team B is a well known and respected Gold travel ball coach in the area. F6 of Team A plays for Coach B during the travel ball season. Game is being played at Team A home field.

Bottom of first. Team A coming to bat, F6 is leadoff hitter. Coach B walks by me and says - If she (F6) gets on, watch her leaving early. I taught her to do that, but I'll be d*mned if she's going to do it to me in this game!

You reminded me of a similar situation last year. My DD's travel coach is also a High School Coach (and just about Mr. Fast Pitch in this part of the state). We're playing against a team with his fastest varsity base runner (dad was college track star, she's about the fastest kid I know). She gets on first, next pitch she heads for second and beats the throw. Coach yells from the third base box:

"SHE LEFT EARLY!!!... [beat] at least that's what all the other coaches say when she's playing for me!"

He also coaches that if you're not ever getting called (or at least complained about) for leaving early, you're leaving too late.