Didn't eject. Should I have?

[Fh124]

While working an 8U game, I heard the 1BC tell BR (just after being called Safe at 1B) that next time he became a runner, if the first baseman is on the base, to run him over. I didn't say or do anything. Now, though, I feel like I should have ejected, or at least warned, the 1BC.

[JaxRolo]

At least a warning

[Stan W.]

warning for sure......

[mstaylor]

Absolutely a very stern warning, and not a private conversation. Tell him you will get the obstruction if it happens but he can't have his kids free ranging fielders. I make sure I do it from a distance so everyone is put on notice that foolishness such as that isn't going to happen.

[mjr_2013]

I'd say that if this is the first mention of anything like this, give him a warning... I have a situation where it is not even a warning though...

Throughout the first couple innings, 1BC was telling me that his players were being forced to run around the 2nd baseman to get to 2nd... I told him there is nothing I can do about that because it isn't my job to position the players... He then went to the other teams manager and told him, to which the manager responded "They are allowed to be wherever they want as long as they move"... After this the 1BC resigned to telling R1, "Alright, I guess you have to go through him if he gets in the way"

If this had been the case except with a F3 and BR, then don't even warn because it is true... If it came out of the blue though, warn him... If it came out of the blue, and sounded malicious, kick him out.

[UmpJM]

YOH,

If the runners did, in fact, have to run around the F4 in order to reach 2B, and the F4 wasn't in the act of fielding, that's OBSTRUCTION.

Your job is to call it and enforce the appropriate penalties. That's what you're supposed to "do about it" - not "nothing".

JM

[mjr_2013]

YOH,

If the runners did, in fact, have to run around the F4 in order to reach 2B, and the F4 wasn't in the act of fielding, that's OBSTRUCTION.

Your job is to call it and enforce the appropriate penalties. That's what you're supposed to "do about it" - not "nothing".

JM

Alright, I am a rookie, and therefore am taking what you said and marking it as fact.... Luckily this only happened once. I'll let the coach know I was incorrect< though I doubt he remembers.It didn't result in any collisions, so I am lucky.

i am not arguing here, I just want an explanation for future incidences... How am I to tell whether the runner going from 1st base to 2nd base is taking a curve of their base path in order to round 2nd base or is curving to avoid the F4? Is it just in my judgement what I believe the runner is making an attempt to do?

Obviously now I know that if the runner is heading to 2nd and is forced to stutter step to avoid the F4 then it is obstruction... But what if it isn't that obvious?

Matt

[mstaylor]

YOH,

If the runners did, in fact, have to run around the F4 in order to reach 2B, and the F4 wasn't in the act of fielding, that's OBSTRUCTION.

Your job is to call it and enforce the appropriate penalties. That's what you're supposed to "do about it" - not "nothing".

JM

Alright, I am a rookie, and therefore am taking what you said and marking it as fact.... Luckily this only happened once. I'll let the coach know I was incorrect< though I doubt he remembers.It didn't result in any collisions, so I am lucky.

i am not arguing here, I just want an explanation for future incidences... How am I to tell whether the runner going from 1st base to 2nd base is taking a curve of their base path in order to round 2nd base or is curving to avoid the F4? Is it just in my judgement what I believe the runner is making an attempt to do?

Obviously now I know that if the runner is heading to 2nd and is forced to stutter step to avoid the F4 then it is obstruction... But what if it isn't that obvious?

Matt

Not to be a smartaleck but sometimes you just have to umpire. This is an example where experience will help you deal with this. First with young kids this a problem. Tell the offending coach, between innings, his kids need to clear the base area if there is no play. Of course, he will say his kids can be anywhere they want. Just tell him you are trying to save him an obstruction call. As far as watching the runners, if they have to take an odd angle around a base, stutter step, slow down or alter their route then loudly say, "That's obstruction!" Let the play continue until play relaxes or the obstructed runner is thrown out. If he makes the base you think he would have gotten then all is good. If he gets thrown out before the base you are potecting him to, then award him that base or bases to nullify the obstruction. They will learn, the coaches will learn and you will learn.

[UmpJM]

YOH,

I completely concur with Michael's comments above.

The runners, on an extra base hit, say, are going to be taking a "rounded" path anyway. If you see them have to alter their path or slow down or "double clutch" because a fielder (not fielding) is in their way, then it's obstruction. It's your decision. It sounds hard, but most of the time it's pretty obvious when it happens.

You call "That's OBSTRUCTION" and point where it happened. When the play's over, you place the runner(s) according to the rules.

Sometimes you kill it, sometimes you let it play out, depending on the sitch and the rule code.

At the younger ages, I'd call it BIG and then use it as a "teaching moment" when the coach comes out to tell me his fielder can be wherever he wants.

JM

[mjr_2013]

Thanks guys! I do understand it now.... I'm glad that my mistake only happened once! :notworthy:

[HokieUmp]

If I may....

YOH isn't wrong in the sense that he shouldn't be coaching players on where to stand. It's the "there's nothing I can do about it" part that's the issue.

What I've said, in so many words, is: "Coach, I'm not telling the defense where to stand. If it violates a rule, I'll handle it."

Frankly, at the age we're talking about here, are some of the players that "have to run around F3" REALLY having to run around like they're steering the Titanic? Was the player really in the way, or are the little drama queens making it "a deal"? Make sure it's an actual obstruction, is all I'm saying.

Don't coach the players, don't tell them there's nothing you can do; tell the coach you're watching it, and then watch for it.