Things I learned at nationals

[RKBUmp]

Just got home from working my first ASA nationals, 16-18B Westerns. Here are some things I learned from my experience.

On a pick off attempt of the runner at 3rd, if the catcher drills the runner in the rib cage, it is a dead ball, runner must return to 3rd.

F3 straddling 1st base cannot be obstruction because she is giving full access to the front edge of the base to the runner.

F3 planting foot in front of bag on pick off attempt also not obstruction because runner can easily reach around foot.

Obstruction cannot be called if no play is being made on the runner. (This is really nit picking the rules according to the coach.)

Batter/runner is not out for running 3' outside the base path on tag attempt as long as they remain inside the running lane. (Forget the fact the girl ran almost to the dugout fence.)

Batter must have both feet completely outside the batters box when the bat first makes contact with the ball to be called out.

Just some of the better ones I remember from this past week. But to be completely serious, I met a lot of nice people and good umpires and had a great time working with them and got a lot of usefull feedback from the UIC and assistant UIC. Probably one of the more important things I learned is no matter how well you think you are hydrating yourself, drink some more. I thought I had been drinking plenty of fluids throughout the week, but by sunday the tank was dry and after my final plate game I got to get visited by the EMTs for heat exhaustion.

All in all I had a great time and look forward to more in the future.