What the Heck is the Point For?

[xtremeump]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

IMO, if you feel impelled to verbalize it, do so at a low volume as to not draw attention, and I wouldn't point at an awarded base for the same reason I do not announce a base to which a runner is awarded.

Please advise how players and a Coach is going to know where you are awarding the Obstructed runner to ? I know that the point is a Baseball Mechanic, an obstruction call must be verbalized, yes loud enough for the players involved to hear. If you protect a player to 3B and she is tagged out before she reaches 3B someone on the field had better say something ??

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by xtremeump

Please advise how players and a Coach is going to know where you are protecting the Obstructed runner to ?

Do you mean awarded? My statement was general on awarded bases, but I should have stuck with the theme of the post (OBS). I would simply offer direction. On regular award, just announce the number of bases awarded. I would point only if I felt it necessary to be emphatic with the call or there was an indication of confusion among the players and coaches.

I know that the point is a Baseball Mechanic, an obstruction call must be verbalized, yes loud enough for the players involved to hear. If you protect a player to 3B and she is tagged out before she reaches 3B someone on the field had better say something ??

In that case, I would. "DEAD BALL" and announce the OBS.

When NFHS pushed this mechanic, the first time I used it in a HS game, it wasn't that loud, but F4, F6, F5 and the runner all stopped and turned toward me for a call. Even the 3rd base coach turned and looked at me, ignoring her own runner.

A couple weeks later, damn near same thing happened and that is not the effect a DDB is supposed to have on the game. So, going forward, I made a conscientious decision to make sure my "verbal" could not be heard by anyone near the action.

People have a tendency to want every call to be punitive in some manner. OBS is not a punitive call, was never meant to be. While it is informative for the arm to go out, the coach really doesn't need to be aware of it as s/he should just continue coaching the plays that are taking place in front of them. And since many do not understand the rule and believe it is a "free pass", will just run their players out of protection thinking they have nothing to lose.

[CecilOne]

1) I presume/hope you get that the point I meant is just so the runner(s) know we where they belong, AFTER THE PLAY. Runners often do not know how many bases they get on various out of play situations or INT; let alone where they are to be after OBS. The above reference of "protected to" implies during the play, certainly not the time to be pointing to anything except communicating to a partner or locating a lightning strike.

2) My verbal is not screamed, just loud enough that someone hears. If done during a whole game (or games consistently); players are too used to it to stop or delay.

3) The reason for any signal on OBS is so the teams don't think we made it up afterward, so I think being sure someone knows is important.