Since obstruction is a hot topic today

[carolinablue]

Once type B obstruction is called ( or any obstruction under FED rules ) does the umpire that makes the call have sole responsibility for the base award. I'm talking about a two man system. Example : R2, basehit to outfield, R2 is obstructed by F5. BU calls the obstruction but there is going to be a play on the BR at 2B so BU moves into position to make the call. R2 trips over 3B bag( well after the obstruction ) and falls flat. He would have scored despite the obstruction had he not fell but now he just goes back to 3B. BU who did not see the fall awards R2 home. Should the PU step in at that time and call BU over for discussion ( since he did not see the trip ) or wait to see if BU askes for help since the DC is probably not happy.

[UmpJM]

carolinablue,

I would probably characterize it as "primary" rather than "sole" responsibility. From the MLBUM discussion of Obstruction:

In all cases of obstruction, the umpire calling the play should have the benefit of the advice of

the other umpires on the crew. The umpire watching the obstruction will have difficulty in

determining the position of other runners. It is recommended that when "Time" is called on

obstruction, if there is any doubt in the minds of the umpires about where the runner or runners

shall be placed, the umpires should confer.

JM

[mstaylor]

I like the term primary responsibility. I think the BU is going to have trouble making an award unless it is a runner that he has all the way. If coverage is split then they should get together to decide.

[Umpire in Chief]

This is a difficult situation.

IMO if the PU doesn't have the OBS the award should be determined by the BU. He saw it he knows how much "protection" to give the runner. That will be his judgement. Is he protecting him if he's out on a banger, a step, two - three steps.

[mstaylor]

This is a difficult situation.

IMO if the PU doesn't have the OBS the award should be determined by the BU. He saw it he knows how much "protection" to give the runner. That will be his judgement. Is he protecting him if he's out on a banger, a step, two - three steps.

By the same token, if the BU releases the runner to the PU and thinking he is going to get the plate awarded no matter and he loafs home, the BU isn't going to know that. Ten all of a sudden he gets thrown out on a fairly close play, the BU is going to think he should get home, when in reality if he had continued running he would have been safe with no problem, the PU has to give the BU that information.

[CNJUmp]

Remember if you call obstruction the runner MUST get atleast 1 base beyond the obstruction, so dosen't matter if he trips and falls or jogs...if obstruction is called he must get 1 free base no matter what....

[UmpJM]

Remember if you call obstruction the runner MUST get atleast 1 base beyond the obstruction, so dosen't matter if he trips and falls or jogs...if obstruction is called he must get 1 free base no matter what....

CNJUmp,

While your statement is true for FED, it is false for OBR & NCAA.

JM

[mazzamouth]

why is the BU watching R2 round 3rd, that is not his responsibility touch of R2 at 3rd is PU... SO PU should have this call.

[CNJUmp]

Remember if you call obstruction the runner MUST get atleast 1 base beyond the obstruction, so dosen't matter if he trips and falls or jogs...if obstruction is called he must get 1 free base no matter what....

CNJUmp,

While your statement is true for FED, it is false for OBR & NCAA.

JM

Original post said FED rules....

[carolinablue]

why is the BU watching R2 round 3rd, that is not his responsibility touch of R2 at 3rd is PU... SO PU should have this call.

You are correct. I realized that after I had posted it but it was just a made up situation to ask a question. I was just wondering how to handle a type B situation when the umpire that calls it cannot see everything that happens with the runner due to other responsibilities.

[mstaylor]

Remember if you call obstruction the runner MUST get atleast 1 base beyond the obstruction, so dosen't matter if he trips and falls or jogs...if obstruction is called he must get 1 free base no matter what....

CNJUmp,

While your statement is true for FED, it is false for OBR & NCAA.

JM

Original post said FED rules....

Actually the OP said type B or any Fed.

[noumpere]

why is the BU watching R2 round 3rd, that is not his responsibility touch of R2 at 3rd is PU... SO PU should have this call.

The OP said "R2 is obstructed by F5" and nothing about the location. Maybe F5 went for a ball in the hole and was in the runners way. That would be BUs call.

[jkumpire]

This illustrates to me a problem many umpire have, and many officials in other sports too. I doubt if many of us have the problem, but as we teach other umpires/officials it might help them if we see it too.

Bk officials call it court awareness, field awareness is a good BB term for it. Umpires need to see more of the field than many of them do. They get tunnel vision, especially when they make an OBS call, or something strange happens in a game they are not used to. In this case, the BU, if he has any kind of field awareness is going to see or get a good feel as to where a baserunner should be placed/protected. PU's should have this all time, since they have the whole field in front of them. Most of the time, if an umpire has field awareness, they will put the right runners in the right spots. If he doesn't have good field awareness he won't.