obstruction

[pastor ump]

Last night in the TOP of the 7th home team is leading 4-3 with no outs and the tying run on second. I am the U1/BU whatever you prefer. After a failed sacrafice attempt the catcher (with a cannon strapped on his right shoulder) attempted to back pick R1 at second base. The throw is slightly to the first base side of the bag. The shortstop drops to both knees in front of the bag directly in the runners path allowing no access to the base. He did not yet have the ball. Easy obstruction call.

This was my mechanic. I let the throw close me into a good set position to make the call as the runner slid into the fielder I pointed at the play and said "that is obstruction" followed by a safe mechanic in line with "he is safe".

I really felt like i was on TOP of it and have no doubt that I got it right. However, home team coach apparently thought I had called him out and then safe. He came out (which I totally expected it was a close important play at a crucial moment in the game) after my explanation of what I had he really didn't have a problem but it had appeared to him that I had called him out when I called the obstruction.

Is this a bad mechanic? It was a banger and there was no time or point for a delay dead ball signal. Should I have maybe signaled and verbalized safe prior to the obstruction?

[ukce1861]

I'd probably just point at the fielder, "That's Obstruction! You [pointing at the runner], second base!" No safe mechanic needed.

Now, the other thing to ponder is why does the coach think your point looks like your out mechanic? Is he just not paying attention or do you have a sloppy out mechanic? Obviously I have no idea, but it's something to consider. Also, maybe you needed to be a bit louder on your obstruction call, so it would've been clearer what you were calling.

[JaxRolo]

Did you point with the Right Hand or Left Hand?

[sdix00]

I'd probably just point at the fielder, "That's Obstruction! You [pointing at the runner], second base!" No safe mechanic needed.

Now, the other thing to ponder is why does the coach think your point looks like your out mechanic? Is he just not paying attention or do you have a sloppy out mechanic? Obviously I have no idea, but it's something to consider. Also, maybe you needed to be a bit louder on your obstruction call, so it would've been clearer what you were calling.

I think this is a good answer.

If I understand the Sitch -

R1 is on 2B (FED words)

F2 back picks R1

F6 sits in front of the bag when the ball is still en route.

As I envision it, coach interpreted it as you pointing to the runner, then calling him safe.

My mechanic would be, "TIME!" (since the play is over) Point to the OBS. "That's obstruction! You, third base!"

[Welpe]

What happened after the F6 obstructed R2...oops I mean R1?

Also what ruleset was this?

[yawetag]

Unless this is FED, it's an immediate dead ball and runner gets an extra base. And, in FED, the play would have been completed quickly enough that I wouldn't have had time to call the obstruction before the play is made. My mechanic in any ruleset would have been: "TIME! That's obstruction. You (point at runner), third base!"