Parameters for obstruction call

ScottyDont said:

Tough way to get eliminated from the state tournament. The coach argued obstruction but was denied. Many unhappy fans yesterday.

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Wonder what the coaches question to the umpire was? The coach should have asked a series of questions and led the umpire into a corner.

Was the catcher in possession of the ball?

Was the catcher in the runners path without possession of the ball?

Did the runner alter course prior to the catcher having possession of the ball?


If the umpire answers these questions per what actually happened in the play he has just defined obstruction. And that should be the last questions, Have you not just defined textbook obstruction?

I'm trying to imagine why ANY baserunner would EVER alter a path based on a fielder BLOCKING access to a base when they do not have the ball. I teach my players to stay on the direct line to the base and if they have to slide thru her legs or feet to get to the base, they should DO JUST THAT. That's a protected move when the fielder is NOT in possession of the ball. Now if the fielder is standing in the base path well off the bag, whether they are just watching the play or waiting for the throw I teach my players to brush by the shoulders of the fielder who is without the ball. JUST MAKE SURE IT ISNT MALICIOUS. accept the contact and be protected the rest of the way to the bag. Even a weak umpire will see that contact, whereas a weak umpire may not notice the runner alter their path signficicantly when no contact occurs.

PlayPerfect said:

I'm trying to imagine why ANY baserunner would EVER alter a path based on a fielder BLOCKING access to a base when they do not have the ball. I teach my players to stay on the direct line to the base and if they have to slide thru her legs or feet to get to the base, they should DO JUST THAT. That's a protected move when the fielder is NOT in possession of the ball.

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Not necessarily. If the umpire judges that the slide was the intended play by the runner and not the result of an impediment, s/he may not rule OBS.

Now if the fielder is standing in the base path well off the bag, whether they are just watching the play or waiting for the throw I teach my players to brush by the shoulders of the fielder who is without the ball. JUST MAKE SURE IT ISNT MALICIOUS. accept the contact and be protected the rest of the way to the bag. Even a weak umpire will see that contact, whereas a weak umpire may not notice the runner alter their path signficicantly when no contact occurs.

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And if determined it was intentional, a good umpire will not rule OBS.

You must have some pretty weak umpires in your area to depend on stuff like that.

You must have some pretty weak umpires in your area to depend on stuff like that.[/QUOTE]



OK....that made me chuckle

Now I'm confused. A runner who slides into a player that does not have possession of the ball at contact but can not reach the base because the fielder has the base or plate blocked should not always result in obstruction?

smashdad said:

Now I'm confused. A runner who slides into a player that does not have possession of the ball at contact but can not reach the base because the fielder has the base or plate blocked should not always result in obstruction?

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Reread the post. There was no mention of contact, but sliding between the legs or feet of the defender, nor was there any mention of the location (relative to reaching the plate). He is assuming that will automatically be OBS when it may not be seen that way by the umpire.