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There is type A and typb B obstruction in Pro Baseball.

Type a is when obstruction happens to the runner who the immediate play is being made. For example a defensive player blocking the base with out the ball when the ball ie en route to the obstructing player.
The penalty is to call time at the time of the obstruction and award bases as such that would nullify the obstruction.

Type B is when an offensive player is obstructed but there is no immediate play being made on him. For example ball on the ground in the outfield as the batter runner is rounding first the first baseman bumps into him coming in to back up a throw. In this case we announce the obstruction at the time it happens let play continue, then when play becomes relaxed make awards as appropriate to nullify the obstruction.
quote:
Originally posted by TarheelUmp:
There is type A and typb B obstruction in Pro Baseball.

Type a is when obstruction happens to the runner who the immediate play is being made. For example a defensive player blocking the base with out the ball when the ball ie en route to the obstructing player.
The penalty is to call time at the time of the obstruction and award bases as such that would nullify the obstruction.



In type A, the award shall be a minimum of one base beyond the last based legally obtained at the time of the obstruction.
Last edited by Jimmy03
quote:
Originally posted by NJUmp:
Left arm straight out, I usually point at the obstruction and yell " Thats obstruction. In high school baseball the obstructed runner is always awarded 1 base, even if they were obstructed diving into 1st base on a pick off.


That's another thing I don't get. An umpire merely holding out his arm may not be noticed by the runner or the 3B coach in time so sometimess you have to guess and go?

Why don't umpires simply point and verbally make the call and send the obstructed runner on?
MLB Rule 7.06(b). If no play is being made on an Obstructed Runner the play shall proceed until no further action is possible. The umpire shall then call "TIME" and impose any penalties, if any, as in his judgement will nullify the obstruction.

So if a runner rounding a base is obstructed there is no automatic award associated with the call. The runner by "choosing" to stay at a base essentially nullifies the Obstruction call.

Go back about 4 years to the AL playoffs Red Sox v Angles. Runner on 2nd and single through the 5 hole. Lowell collides with the runner advancing to 3rd after attempting to field the ball. The Obstruction was called but he runner stopped between 3rd and home. The Red Sox tagged him and he was called out. The umpires judgement was that he stopped running and that was the reason he was tagged and not the Obstruction. A good call. All he had to do was keep running to home and even if they threw him out he certainly would have been awarded Home.

Coaches should be teaching the rules to players and should know them as well. Too often not the case though.
The proper mechanic is to point at the infraction when it occurs with a strong "That's Obstruction" verbal signal. The award, if any, is determined after the action stops and time is called, unless the infraction is ignored in which case the ball would stay live.

I don't run around with my left arm sticking out. FED wants the signal so I will give it at the time of the call, but then the arm comes down. The FED DDB signal is completely useless.

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