When to call obstruction

[bluejerred]

When it comes to tag plays at a base or at the plate, at what point do you call obstruction if the defense is in the base path or on top of the base/plate (especially catchers blocking at a play at home)?  Do you wait until the runner actually has to run around the fielder or slide underneath/around the fielder without the ball or will you call it sooner?  I ask because I think I'm starting to get a little obstruction happy and I'm trying to figure out when it should be called on close plays.  Thanks!

[maven]

Well, it's not obstruction until he's hindered. So I wouldn't call it until then.

[zm1283]

Call it when it happens. Verbalize "That's obstruction" and point. If it's a FED game, let the play finish, call time, and award bases accordingly. If the runner gets the the base where you were going to protect him to anyway, don't do anything when the play is over. 

[MadMax]

Exactly what @maven and @zm1283 said... It can only be obstruction if a play (on the runner) happens... It cannot be "Anticipated Obstruction".

[maven]

Exactly what @maven and @zm1283 said... It can only be obstruction if a play (on the runner) happens... It cannot be "Anticipated Obstruction".

 

Careful, now, it's OBS when he's hindered, whether or not he's being played on. BR rounding 1B on his way to a stand-up double and he's hindered by F3 is still OBS, even though there's no play.

[MadMax]

@maven... Pardon me, lazy choice of words.