Obstruction? or out?

[SC Ump]

Originally Posted by LIBlueASA

Easy force play for F5... R1 would never have made it to 3B safely... I know..., and I know... I also know...

So why'd you ask?

Originally Posted by LIBlueASA

I would, under these circumstances, more than likely call out and state that the obstruction was irrelevant to her making third safely.

Remember, if you take it on yourself to state that the obstruction was irrelevant, and if the game is protested, you might be going back out to the field on your own time and paying your local kangaroo court a fee. HOWEVER, I don't see how they could protest the game if you happened to have not seen the incident with F6 because you were so intently focused on F5...

... but seriously... I think you have to call it and then when the DC comes to argue, discuss with him about why the heck F6 was doing that.

[Dutch Alex]

If the umpire saw what he saw, this is what he gets: a loose-loose situation. I agree with Irish, you don't want to see all of it!
Yes, we are supposed to get it all right. However I do think we also have to do/call what is fair. In this case not seeing the OBS, so not award 3th base is more fair than award a runner (that should be put out on the force) a base.

Last saturday as PU I call "Play ball" after a foul. Batter comes up, turns her head and asks me "What?". F1 is already in her wind up, but stops her motion and the pitch... Complete unfair was my justified call: IP. The batter gained an advantage out of a stupid act. I didn't feel bad, if F1 completed the pitch it would have been a strike. She didn't, thus IP.

Coming back to our situation. F6 screw up. But was that enough to award R1 a base? Don't think in rules, think fair/unfair and let the rules support your opinion...