Collission at Short

[travlinmatt]

Fed Rules. Bases Loaded no outs. I am PU working alone. Batter hits a high line drive up the middle. It is a clear base hit, 10-15 feet high. The short stop breaks to his left toward 2nd base. The baserunner and the shortstop collide and both stagger. I have exited left and am moving to my position just up the third base line. I see this and immediately put my left hand out for delayed dead ball, obstruction on the short stop. On the hit. all runners advanced one base and CF made no attempt to get the runner at 3rd, who simply began running again after the collission and easily made it to 3rd.

I decide the runner (R2) would not have made it any farther than 3rd, and for that reason I now have nothing to call. I lower my hand and the play ends. The defensive team coach approaches and says, "Blue that's textbook interference. Short has to have a chance to get to the ball." I replied that he had no play on the ball, it was a hit to CF. He is in the runner's way, not vice versa.

Please critique my decision to signal delayed dead ball, then to let the play stand as I felt the action did not hinder R2 from advancing any farther than he actually achieved. Does anyone make a different call? Thanks.

[Matt13]

Okay. First, look up the difference between interference and obstruction.

Second, you may have gotten the correct results (given your judgments, you did. Whether those judgments were correct, HTBT.)

[nwsquid]

I'll take a stab (won't learn unless I say something wrong I guess).

Yes coach, it was obstruction (runner obstructed by fielder). My guess is he thought it was interference (runner interfered with fielder).

I work with guys who do the arm to the side mechanic as well, but I was under the impression that a point and verbal, "That's obstruction." was better and more universally accepted.

Protecting him to third sounds fine to me.

[bobjenkins]

I work with guys who do the arm to the side mechanic as well, but I was under the impression that a point and verbal, "That's obstruction." was better and more universally accepted.

FED rules / mechanics have both.

[lustersilk]

Signal obstruction, like you did.
When the action has ended, say "Time, thats obstruction, you 3rd base"
I know this seems wierd since the runner is already there but this lets everyone know you saw the obstruction and you are protecting the runner to 3b. Then explain to the Defensive Manager you have obstruction, not interference, and why, just like you did.