ASA 2014 test question 16

[Insane Blue]

Originally Posted by Linknblue

Given the assumptions that were pointed out........would the mechanics be:

Give delayed dead ball signal and say "obstruction". Watch play at 2nd base and call out. Now call "dead ball" and explain that run scores even though out was made before runner crossed the plate?

I'm having a little difficulty in an obstruction call away from a play and the mechanics involved. Let's say the runner went back to 3rd. Would you then award them home because in your judgment that's where you think they'd have been even though they went back to 3rd?

Personally speaking yes I would do exactly that.

Remember you award the base that you feel the runner would have made if no Obstruction had occurred.
ASA rule Supplement #36

[ASA/NYSSOBLUE]

To me, this is a classic example of a test giving you a 'red herring' , to see if you can find what they are actually looking for. I do not care what happens after this OBS, that runner gets home. Period. Next question.

When you try to over complicate these tests - that is when you get yourself in trouble.

Linkd: How long have you been working, and how long does it take you to do the ASA test? And how often to do you really have to look something up in the book? I am asking because for our high school test here in New York, we have to take it as a group, and it is CLOSED BOOK. It is also partially written by the inestimable Jay Miner, who is the NYS Clinician/Rules Interpreter, so that should give you an idea of how good it is. Now also understand, in our little group, one of our members is not only a clinician at our State School, but she is also ASA UIC for New York. Our group clinician is a former clinician at the State School - they both freely admit they usually miss a couple of questions on that test, so understand that a friend of mine and myself will get that test, and get it done - 100 questions, including checking - in about 30-35 minutes. And both get scores in the 97-99 range. And there are veterans who take FOREVER to get it done.

My point is this: You SHOULD be able to these tests relatively quick - if you can't get it right on the test quickly, how are you going to be able to react on the field? On the field, if you have any experience at all, you know how to eliminate the non essential stuff - the same goes for these tests. Even though the actual writing on these is sometimes...well...you can tell they were written by umpires

How is the NFHS test? Open/closed book?

[EsqUmp]

People often complain that the NCAA rule book is too long and goes into too much detail. Though that may be true in same cases, it works well here:

Base awards should be made even after the third out of an inning and if an obstructed base runner would have scored before the third out, the run would score on the base award.

A.R. 9.3.1: Two outs with a base runner on second base on a base hit to the outfield. The base runner is obstructed rounding third base. The ball is thrown home (even though there was no play) and on the throw, the batter-runner attempts to advance to second base but is thrown out for the third out of the inning. RULING: The base runner is awarded home and the run scores if the umpires judge she would have scored but for the obstruction.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE

To me, this is a classic example of a test giving you a 'red herring' , to see if you can find what they are actually looking for. I do not care what happens after this OBS, that runner gets home. Period. Next question.

As it applies to this specific scenario assuming ALL action was given, this is true.

As a general statement, it is dead wrong.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by ASA/NYSSOBLUE

...our high school test here in New York, we have to take it as a group, and it is CLOSED BOOK.... a friend of mine and myself will get that test, and get it done - 100 questions, including checking - in about 30-35 minutes. And both get scores in the 97-99 range. And there are veterans who take FOREVER to get it done.

My point is this: You SHOULD be able to these tests relatively quick - if you can't get it right on the test quickly, how are you going to be able to react on the field?...

You have described one philosophy / purpose for these tests... namely to test the official in their knowledge and application of the rules that they would carry with them to the field. This is the classic exam philosophy - to test what you have learned.

The test philosophy used here is different. Our tests are given open book, and it is "legal" for them to be openly discussed among your fellow umpires (at your association meeting, for example). The purpose of such a test is quite different from what you described. The purpose is to encourage umpires to read / dig into the rule book, and to encourage discussion of different plays and scenarios.

Not being a teacher or a clinician, I can see the advantages of each approach. The major disadvantage of the closed book exam approach for any state-wide testing is probably logistics.