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ASUA Webinar Series

ASUA Webinar Series. OBSTRUCTION. Meet ASUA’s Education Co-Chairs: Frankie Billingsley. Kris Hartley Softball Canada Level 4 Umpire (obtained in 2004). Softball Canada Level 5 Umpire (obtained in 2011) WBSC Certified Umpire (obtained in 2013). Agenda. Housekeeping Rule Definition

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ASUA Webinar Series

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  1. ASUA Webinar Series OBSTRUCTION

  2. Meet ASUA’s Education Co-Chairs: Frankie Billingsley Kris Hartley Softball Canada Level 4 Umpire (obtained in 2004) • Softball Canada Level 5 Umpire (obtained in 2011) • WBSC Certified Umpire (obtained in 2013)

  3. Agenda • Housekeeping • Rule Definition • Obstruction Mechanic • Penalty Enforcement • Obstruction Examples • Mindset/Philosophy • Point of Emphasis • Question & Answer Period

  4. SOFTBALL CANADA Rulebook RULE 8, Section 1 and 7 in the Softball Canada Rulebook

  5. Obstruction Definition Rule 1, Section 62 (SP) and 63 (FP) Is the act of: • A defensive player or team member that hinders or prevents the batter from striking or hitting a pitched ball • A fielder who impedes the progress of a runner or batter-runner who is legally running the bases while: i) not in possession of the ball; ii) not in the act of fielding a ball; iii) making a fake tag; iv) in possession of the ball and pushes a runner off a base or; v) in possession of the ball but not in the act of making a play on the runner.

  6. Obstruction • DEFENSIVE player impeding an OFFENSIVE player (ex - runner) • Some Examples: • Fielder blocking a base • Fielder in the way of the runner (does not have possession of ball, is not making a play on a batted ball) • Fielder misplays the ball, goes to retrieve it and obstructs runner

  7. Obstruction - Effect • Effect: DELAYED DEAD BALL (wait until the play is over) • If runner is SAFE – Obstruction is ignored/nullified • If runner is OUT - call “DEAD BALL” and the runner is SAFE. • Runner is awarded the base the umpire believes they would have reached if the obstruction had not occurred (judgement call) • Runner is at liability to be put out if they pass the base the umpire believes they would have achieved without the obstruction

  8. Explanation of what is & isn’t Obstruction

  9. Obstruction by a fielder

  10. How Long Do We Signal? The Major League Baseball (MLB) is different than Softball Canada. We use the delayed dead ball signal. Make sure that your umpire partners have seen your obstruction signal. The defensive player and the runner/batter will not be looking at you - so it is important that they hear you. If you do not have to “move” anywhere - consider keeping the signal up for people to see until the runner has secured the base that they would have achieved had they not been obstructed.

  11. Obstruction - Pick off Attempt

  12. Obstruction in a Rundown situation

  13. Catcher Obstruction #1

  14. Catcher Obstruction #2

  15. Catcher Obstruction When the Obstruction occurs by the catcher on a runner sliding into home plate, the runner will be declared “SAFE” as they would have achieved home plate had the catcher not blocked their progress illegally.

  16. Catcher Obstructing a Batter Hitting • Occurs when the catcher prevents the batter from hitting a pitched ball (typically the bat hits the glove) as batter is swinging • Effect: DELAYED DEAD BALL • If the batter hits the ball and all runners including the batter advance one base: Catcher obstruction is cancelled/ignored. • If all offensive players do NOT advance one base safely : It is anoption play • 1. Take the result of the play OR • 2. The BR gets 1st base, other runners only advance if forced

  17. Catcher Obstructing a Hitter

  18. Mindset/Philosophy We do not go “looking” for these to call, they will happen and when they do - CALL THEM! If we call obstruction when we see it, all the time, we will call it when we need to. Understand, if you are consciously deciding to let obstruction go (because the effect was minimal etc.) you are condoning that behaviour. 2016….advice…. Look for reactions of players, this can assist you, if you are unsure.

  19. Timing of the Call With obstruction, the timing of the call is most effective when it is made when you see it - which is when the infraction occurred. As with all things, there may be a perception of uncertainty, if the timing does not match when the obstruction actually happened. I think there are times when we are processing what we just saw and it takes a few moments. We might think that it is too late to call it, it isn’t. Make the call to let everyone know that you saw it and that you have the call. Better late than never…..the impact can be great…...

  20. Point of Emphasis #2 Officials within the ASUA will make a commitment to call obstruction when they see it as a way to educate, prepare and engage with the rules. We are not doing ourselves or the players any favors by allowing the low impact obstruction calls to go without verbalizing, showing the delayed dead ball signal and making the obstruction call. The two points of emphasis for our ASUA officials are also being used for a number of International crews including those umpires that are working Olympic Qualifiers this summer.

  21. Questions

  22. Next Webinar Monday June 24th, 2019 at 7:00 p.m The Topic will be INTERFERENCE.

  23. Contact Information Frankie Billingsley (780) 904-4716 587) 581-4450 Email: education@asua.ca Kris Hartley

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