Re: Approved ASA Rule Changes

>The problem with the rule change is that it is still grey.  "Could"
>constitute
>obstruction leaves an awful lot of room for interpretation from umpire to
>umpire, the same way the old rule of "about to receive a throw" or "a play is
>imminent" left a lot of room. A play at the plate was imminent the instant
>the
>outfielder started her throw to the plate, so at that point, the catcher was
>allowed to legally block the plate and alter the baserunners path to the
>plate.
> It was a rare occasion you had an umpire brave enough to call obstruction,
>and
>I fear the ambiuity in the wording of the rule change still leaves that grey
>area in interpretation.
>
>Tom Peronto
>San Diego Renegades
>

Tom,

I don't think there is anything grey about this rule.  The only reason I said
"could" is that why the judgment is limited, there is still some there.  But
then again, there is never anything which doesn't require some sort of
judgment.

This rule is now the same as that played in international ball.  If there is
any problem, it is that the coaches are going to have to teach the players to
set up in the proper position when receiving a ball prior to attempting to tag
a runner.

I agree that some umpires will have to work to adjust to this, but that
SHOULDN'T be a problem.  Unfortunately, I know it will be because some will
overthink the situation and try to add their own logic to it.

I think it's simple.  If the ball gets inside the glove and I, as the umpire,
believes that at the time the player has possession of the ball, they can be
wherever they chose.  If not, it's obstruction.  I may give the defender the
benefit of the doubt if there is a question of possession as long as I believe
the ball hasn't come loose prior to the attempted tag.

Mike