Obstruction

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(No Transcript)
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Obstruction

• 2006 NFH Softball Rules
• Section 36 Obstruction (Defense)
• Obstruction is the act of the defensive team
  member that hinders or impedes a batters attempt
  to make contact with a pitched ball or impedes
  the progress of a runner or batter-runner who is
  legally running the bases, unless the fielder is
  in possession of the ball or is fielding a batted
  ball. The act may be intentional or
  unintentional, physical or verbal

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No, Obstruction
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Yes, Obstruction
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Umpires need to be "part of the game" and/or "be
aware."  Watch this next video clip and look for
a sign the catcher or third base person provides
that may tip you off to a possible play involving
the runner at third base.  Is there "obstruction"
on the catcher?  Is there "obstruction" on the
third base person, before or after the throw? 
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Per Rule unless the fielder is in possession of
the ball
Obstruction
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Umpire Actions

• All "obstruction calls" require a delayed
  dead-ball signal. ( Left arm straight out,
  horizontal to the ground and away from the body) 
  This allows all runners/batter-runner the ability
  to advance whether they are played on or not. If
  the obstructed runner/batter-runner is put out
  prior to reaching the base that would have been
  reached had there not been obstruction, a "dead
  ball" is called and the obstructed
  runner/batter-runner and each other runner
  affected by the obstruction will be awarded the
  base or bases which would have been reached, in
  the umpire's judgment, had there not been
  obstruction.  An obstructed runner may not be
  called out between the two bases where she was
  obstructed.

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Case Book Example, 2006

• 2.36 SITUATION C F2, (a) with the ball, or (b)
  about to receive a thrown ball, is blocking home
  plate. R1 slides into F2 and is tagged out.
  RULING In (a), R1 is out. In (b) the umpire
  would call and signal a delayed bead ball. The
  runner would be awarded the base, in the umpires
  judgment, she would have received had there been
  no obstruction

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References

• 2006 NFHS Rule Book 2-36 8-4-3b
• 2006 NFHS Case Book 2.36 Situation (x3)
• 2006 Umpires Manual The Field Umpire, Page 45
  (Obstruction Fake Tag Catcher Obstruction),
  The Plate Umpire, Page 35 (Catcher Obstruction)