Did I make the right call?

[JamesC]

With the recent obstruction question that has been posted under the guests section, I have a question of my own.

A couple years ago I was calling a playoff game, I'm U1, outs irrelevant, R1, FED.

Pitcher picks to first, R1 dives back, errant throw and F3 kind of makes a stab at it and somewhat collides/lands on R1. Well, I wasn't calling anything with that, as I felt this was just incidental and neither person was in the wrong. However, as R1 and F3 both went to get up, F3 pressed off of R1 in a manner that it appeared he pressed him back to the ground. I called obstruction and signaled it immediately after seeing this. I'm right there on top of it, so R1 heard me clearly and just slowly stands up and walks to second. I know this isn't a dead ball, but it really aggravated me that the kid just walked to second. I guess it didn't really matter how he got there, but should/could I have done anything differently as to ensure he actually ran to the next base? He would have made it without the obstruction, and likely would have still made it even with the obstruction had he been running. Is this something I could just chalk up to his own fault as to possibly costing himself third base had he attempted and it actually been close (assuming I would have awarded him third in this scenario)?

[umpcoachfather]

You were fine, his coach should deal with him.

[JaxRolo]

I think you were fine but I don't know if I would have called obstruction.

[RichMSN]

I would've called it. Doesn't matter what the player does in an NFHS game -- he's going to get at least second. Why would it bother you if he walked there -- he cost *himself* the chance to take third on the play.

[Jocko]

I'd be proud someone on the field besides me actually knew the rule!

[JamesC]

I don't know why, but I have thought about it several times over the last couple years. Maybe just because the guy literally walked to second base and it just didn't look good at all, not from anyone's perspective. His own coach was even hollering at him. I've always felt like I made the right call, but I guess there's been that small percent of doubt in the back of my mind.

[Jocko]

Let it go

[MPLSMatt]

If this is the "one that haunts you," you've had a good couple of years. You did it right and I don't really see a problem here. Some/Many umpires' "one that haunts" is a quadruple-ejection involving cops, parents and threats.

[Jocko]

I had one that haunted me. District Championship Dixie. 11-12 yo and they were good teams. Bottom of the last inning, 2 outs HT down by 1 R3. Sharp grounder to F6. He boots it, fumbles around, picks it up and throws to F3. Closest Bang/Bang I've ever had (to that point). I bang him out. Timing was all wrong. If I had hesitated just a nanosecond and been at a better 90 I would have seen the foot touch 1st, but I rushed it. Replayed it in my mind 10,000 times. I knew as soon as I called it I had kicked it. I was green and untrained, but decent with a good zone. I just rushed the call. Nothing to appeal. No getting help. I had to own it. Tying run crossed the plate about the time F6 threw it. I still remember the kid I banged out. He was safe, and I totally blew it. Couldn't sleep that night for replays in my head.

[UmpireSam]

Do you call obstruction or just signal it ?

In softball there is no verbal obstruction call.

[johnnyg08]

Do you call obstruction or just signal it ?

In softball there is no verbal obstruction call.

Call it and signal (I prefer to point) instead of the the "dumb" FED signal.

[BretMan]

In softball there is no verbal obstruction call.

Sure there is. Which sanctioning body do you think teaches to not verbalized this call?

[Welpe]

Bret I learned under ASA to stick the left arm out when observing the OBS and then announce it when awarding bases.

[umpire_scott]

Bret I learned under ASA to stick the left arm out when observing the OBS and then announce it when awarding bases.

This is also what I was taught. My UIC in Arizona was ASA trained as well as AIA (Arizona Interscholastic Association) which is generally straight FED mechanics.

[mstaylor]

The arm is a softball/Fed baseball mechanic that most baseball guys don't use. In softball, perfectly acceptable. In Fed baseball, if you are in a group that insists to use Fed mechanics, use it. Anywhere else, do not, simply point and announce.

I agree the OP was obstruction.

[BretMan]

Bret I learned under ASA to stick the left arm out when observing the OBS and then announce it when awarding bases.

Then you probably learned from someone who interjected personal opinion and preference over what the umpire manual actually instructs. That happens a lot. Many don't like to verbalized obstruction because they say it "confuses the players" or that it causes them to "stop playing".

That may be so in some cases and I don't entirely disagree with that opinion. But I personally dislike coming up with my own mechanics when we have documented instructions telling us otherwise.

Refer to page 229 and 253 of the ASA umpire manual.

[Welpe]

You may very well be right, Bret. I did not call softball for very long so I will defer to your expertise on this. :)