about OBS calls

[CecilOne]

I said
Originally Posted by CecilOne
Dave, Mike, et al,

Did you note my comment above?
"Still: -I know what I think & do, will post later, checking for disagreement. "

No base ball in my mind, just trying to describe fielder position w/o using rule terminology.

Yes, I know I propose ambiguous topics and often too cryptically, sometimes to prove a point, will post my opinion and reason for this later.
You are all a great help on all topics, which I sincerely appreciate.
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and Irish Mafia replied as follows:

Problem is you are taking something that is very, VERY simple and asking people to consider irrelevant data in the application of the rule. Why convolute such a simple issue? Isn't it bad enough ASA already causes issues referring to the base in the RS without umpires perpetuating the misconception that a defender's position at the base has any valid meaning?

[MD Longhorn]

I think it's time you spill your point at this point. I think the peanut gallery is in overwhelming agreement that the first section is Obstruction all day and every day - see it, call it. Period.

I think we are also in agreement that the focus in the 2nd section is simply not what we're looking for, and all could be or might not be OBS.

So where were you intending to go with this.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

I think it's time you spill your point at this point. I think the peanut gallery is in overwhelming agreement that the first section is Obstruction all day and every day - see it, call it. Period.

I think we are also in agreement that the focus in the 2nd section is simply not what we're looking for, and all could be or might not be OBS.

So where were you intending to go with this.

Exactly, Mike, along with my realizing that I presented this poorly.
May I use light-thinking vacation as an excuse??
Thanks to all for your patience.

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I have been criticized for 2 things regarding OBS:

1 - Obstruction calls, no correction actions. A lot of obstruction calls

This brought out my questions about calling it always,
even with no out attempt.
The forum seems to agree with my calling each occurrence

2 - A little to picky on obstruction call.
This brought about my questions about the fielder position,
making sure that no position (except having the ball) excused the fielder from OBS.
With hindrance of the runner of course.


I think the answers and comments confirmed what I have been doing and how I have been doing it;
apparently except for communicating better to my critics
(and I guess to the forum as well)

[Andy]

Obstruction is a personal point of emphasis for me and a part of the game I don't think is called as much as it should be.

For a long time, obstruction was a coached tactic by the defense since most umpires weren't calling it if the runner wasn't knocked down. I think that situation has improved a bit over the last few years as obstruction has become more of a focus and more umpires are calling it when it happens.

I agree that upwards of 90% of obstruction calls do not result in any further action by the umpire...call it anyway. I have had a few savvy coaches pick up on the call and coach their runners appropriately. I've also had a few that pick it up and think that their runner now has free rein to keep going as far as they want......

Bottom line...call it every time it happens.

[ronald]

Well put Andy.