When is it interference???

Was this a HS game? First of all the coach has no business teaching such a stupid and unsportsmanlike move. It's even dumber to yell across the infield to let everyone know his intention.
The orginal play should have gotten a stiff reprimand from the PU. Obstruction should announced when it happens. In FED it is a delayed dead ball, you allow the play finish, then award bases. The runner is going to get at least one base past what he last legally touched before the obstruction. It would be the same in NCAA.
In other codes there are two types of obstruction. The first is when a play is being made on the runner when obstructed. This includes a rundown or a play at a base with an obstruction. This is imediately dead and a automatic one base minimum. The second is when a play isn't being made on the runner. This is an obstuction by a fielder while the ball is still being pursued or being thrown to another base. It is a delayed dead ball and the umpire is going what he feels alleviates the obstruction.

Hard to believe this is high school game if the coach was yelling to his players to block the bases. Sounds more like an 8 yr old game with a 1st time coach who knows little about baseball.

quote:

Originally posted by blm:
When is it considered interference when a player steps in front of the runner to slow him down?



How or when do they make this call? Ump has to know its intentional from the remark in the first game.

Mr. Taylor has given you the correct response, however, I'll reiterate this: This is obstruction, not interference. It may seem nitpicking, but it is not, nor is it merely semantics. If you want to be taken seriously in a discussion with an umpire regarding a possible rule misinterpretation or non-call, you should know the correct terms. You will lose credibility and possibly the attention of the umpire if you indicate that you don't know the difference between obstruction and interference.

Secondly, intent is not a factor.

quote:

If you want to be taken seriously in a discussion with an umpire regarding a possible rule misinterpretation or non-call, you should know the correct terms. You will lose credibility and possibly the attention of the umpire if you indicate that you don't know the difference between obstruction and interference.

I respectfully submit that this statement, at least as far as I'm concerned, is not true.

If anyone poses a question or situation on this forum I believe they're entitled to a respectful reply. I never question their credibility or take them less seriously if they don't know all of the proper terminology.

This forum is called "Ask the Umpire". As far as I know there isn't any prior knowledge that a person is required to possess in order to "ask" a question. Usually they're asking because they don't know or may have been misinformed.

If we, as umpires, are going to gain or maintain credibility for ourselves it is in our best interest to answer questions to the best of our ability and not treat those who pose questions in any condescending manner.

Yes I agree it is not very spotsmanlike or smart to shout it across the diamond.

My fault your right about obstruction poor choice of words on my part. One of the coaches did ask for an ump to make the call and his response like so often is I did'nt see it.

It is hard to believe its HS Ball.

I just thought maybe an ump would look for this after his breakdown, shouting it across the field.

Its a good way to get two players hurt... and for what?

quote:

Originally posted by pilsner:

quote:

If you want to be taken seriously in a discussion with an umpire regarding a possible rule misinterpretation or non-call, you should know the correct terms. You will lose credibility and possibly the attention of the umpire if you indicate that you don't know the difference between obstruction and interference.

I respectfully submit that this statement, at least as far as I'm concerned, is not true.

If anyone poses a question or situation on this forum I believe they're entitled to a respectful reply. I never question their credibility or take them less seriously if they don't know all of the proper terminology.

This forum is called "Ask the Umpire". As far as I know there isn't any prior knowledge that a person is required to possess in order to "ask" a question. Usually they're asking because they don't know or may have been misinformed.

If we, as umpires, are going to gain or maintain credibility for ourselves it is in our best interest to answer questions to the best of our ability and not treat those who pose questions in any condescending manner.

I'm afraid you either misunderstood me or made an assumption about me that simply isn't true.

I apologize if I was unclear in what I was referring to. I was not referring to quesitons posted on this forum, which, by the way, I believe does an excellent job of not having many condescending posts.

My post was meant to suggest that in the real world, on the field, it behooves a coach who is about to argue a rule, to know the proper term of the rule. Nothing more, nothing less.

It's bush for coaches to teach HS kids to play like this. It's worse that some umpires let them get away with it.

quote:

Originally posted by dash_riprock:
It's bush for coaches to teach HS kids to play like this. It's worse that some umpires let them get away with it.

Just as a conversation starter: Is it more, less or about the same amount of bush as when an offensive coach yells to R1 at the onset of a potential double play, "Take him out, Take him out!!"

I'd say about the same. Whenever I hear that, I am on super-sensitive alert for a force-play slide rule violation. There is nothing I like better than to call 2 outs (legitimately, of course) when I hear that from a coach.

I would say telling a defensive player is more bush. At least the play at second has a basis in tradition. We grew up being able to slide at a fielder as long as long as you could reach the base. We also were allowed to block a base if we were fielding a throw. Neither is allowed in HS baseball any longer. However, telling a fielder to block a runner as he is running the bases has no place at any level.

quote:

I'm afraid you either misunderstood me or made an assumption about me that simply isn't true.

No assumption made on my part. I simply didn't perceive "blm" to be a coach. Rather, someone who witnessed a coach's disreputable actions.
OK, "nuff said about that.

Additionally, I'm with dash on his comment regarding the double play. It surprises me how often I hear "Gotta break it up at 2nd, Bobby." Just makes me shake my head and think "thanks for the warning coach".