MLB Should Be Embarrassed

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

What I have found interesting is that not once has the PU called the F3 for Obstruction. It seems that as long as F3 has the Ball in his possession before the Runner gets to him and F3 tags the Runner for the Out, the PU is calling an out and letting the Offensive HC/Manager ask for a Review and letting New York overturn the PU.

MTD, Sr.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

What I have found interesting is that not once has the PU called the F3 for Obstruction. It seems that as long as F3 has the Ball in his possession before the Runner gets to him and F3 tags the Runner for the Out, the PU is calling an out and letting the Offensive HC/Manager ask for a Review and letting New York overturn the PU.

MTD, Sr.

Even under softball definitions, if ball arrives before contact, AND the runner isn't hindered by forcing an altered path, then it isn't obstruction. Baseball isn't teaching runners (yet) to obviously alter their path when the catcher blocks; so far just telling them to avoid the malicious collision.

By my standards, if a runner keeps going in the direction and path they were taking all along, they haven't been hindered or impeded until/unless they contact a defensive player before the ball arrives.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

What I have found interesting is that not once has the PU called the F3 for Obstruction.

Might I suggest that is because there is no OBS to call.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Might I suggest that is because there is no OBS to call.

What I meant to express is that I have yet to see the PU call the Runner safe when F3 is, per the rules, in violation of 7.13. Every play I have seen is where the PU calls the Runner out and then the Out call is overturned on review. And since I only umpire baseball using NFHS Baseball Rules, and not OBR, the "best" description I could use was to refer to it as a "type" of Obstruction. But I think you understand what I was trying to infer.

MTD, Sr.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

What I meant to express is that I have yet to see the PU call the Runner safe when F3 is, per the rules, in violation of 7.13. Every play I have seen is where the PU calls the Runner out and then the Out call is overturned on review. And since I only umpire baseball using NFHS Baseball Rules, and not OBR, the "best" description I could use was to refer to it as a "type" of Obstruction. But I think you understand what I was trying to infer.

MTD, Sr.

Oh, yeah. I do and completely agree

[teebob21]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

Every play I have seen is where the PU calls the Runner out and then the Out call is overturned on review.
{snip}
MTD, Sr.

I believe this has something to do with the "Old Dog, New Tricks" maxim. The PU sees it as a clear-cut out. For years and years, when the throw beats the runner to the plate by as much as it has in these examples, the runner is dead out. Or, in the case of pro baseball, the runner trucks the catcher. Now we have rule 7.13. Since they can't do that any more, they basically give themselves up and say "WAAHHHHHHH! I was 15 feet from scoring but the catcher was in the waaaaayyyyyyyyyy! Call me safe!!"

It's kind of like men's FP, now that I think about it, but with million-dollar contracts.


Caption: [Giants runner] "Yes!! The catcher has the ball and his toe is on the line! I'm going to be safe on review!"

[IRISHMAFIA]

As I noted elsewhere, like Obamacare, this is ass backwards.

Cannot have a collision without the runner plowing over the catcher, so have the courage to penalized the runner for the act being committed and trust (and force) the umpires to make the OBS calls WHEN OBSTRUCTION OCCURS.

They are placing the demands, restrictions and penalties at the wrong end of the issue.

[teebob21]

Not to flog the dead horse yet again, but WGN announcers deem OBR rule 7.13 "BS" multiple times on the air, as well as asking if the recent rule changes in football are going to make it a "little girl's game". Awesome.

Ventura ejected after review | MLB.com

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by teebob21

Not to flog the dead horse yet again, but WGN announcers deem OBR rule 7.13 "BS" multiple times on the air, as well as asking if the recent rule changes in football are going to make it a "little girl's game". Awesome.

Ventura ejected after review | MLB.com

Again, the umpire gets it right, the NY gets it wrong.

It is terrible, absolutely terrible. Again, it is a stupid rule targeting the wrong player.