Verbal obstruction

[Umpire in Chief]

This happened to me a few years ago and I just remembered it today when answering an obstruction call for a friend.

Situation: R1 breaks on pitch and easily steals 2nd without a throw from the catcher. F6 tells the runner "That was a foul" (not true) which was clearly heard by BU & me at the plate. The runner gets up and starts jogging back to first when the pitcher throws the ball to F4 who tags the runner. BU calls "Time, that's obstruction!"

Where do you place the runner?

[okump96]

i would keep him at second.

[LMSANS]

I probably would have called time when I heard the comment and issued an unsportsmanlike conduct warning on the HS and lower level.

Adult ball, just called time.

Obstruction is as good a rule to cite as any, but I'm not aware of any verbal obstruction rule. Fed rule 3-3-1g4 seems to cover it nicely

g. commit any unsportsmanlike act to include, but not limited to....

4. behavior in any manner not in accordance with the spirit of fair play.

the penalty can be ejection with the option to warn.

"there's no lying in baseball!"

[Umpire in Chief]

BTW I should have mentioned it was a LL Sr play off game.

[LMSANS]

There is very little to cover this issue in the LL rule book.

4.06 covers the same as 3-3-1, but does not have the "fair play" statement. Neither does the OBR for that matter.

This looks like a case where 9.01c can be used.

[Bigdog]

Hey all,

You mean that there was no coach yelling at the runner to get back on the base?

I think it would be beneficial for the player to start watching for the umpire's call or telling him to return to first.

Bigdog:cool: