AboutDr. Mark R. Ambrose Expertise I can answer all questions about book rules and "case book" rules governing the playing of ASA softball. Have a REAL situation that happened and are not sure the proper rule was applied, ask me.
Experience I am a registered ASA umpire, a MASA "At-Large" umpire since 1996 and a retired District Umpire-In-Chief. I have very extensive experience in MASA State Championship and ASA national qualifying tournament play both as an umpire and an Umpire-In-Chief. I completed 3 ASA National Schools including the ASA national advanced umpire school in Ok City("Bernie" for those who know him was the lead clinician, I survived the week and couldn't let my kids watch the game tapes when I got home. No, I love you Bernie). I was one of 4 "Yankee" umpires selected to umpire the Men's D National East Championship in 2002 in Winter Haven FL
Organizations Amateur Softball Association (The authority in softball)
Question A baserunner is stealing but because she is looking toward home plate she inadvertently strays well outside the normal path to the next base and collides with an unsuspecting fielder who is standing well outside the typical path. As a result of the collision, the runner is easily tagged out. What is the correct call?
Answer Hi James,
Obstruction is a judgment call, our umpire manual tells us that simply because there is a collision does not mean that interference or obstruction occurred.
One of the things it asks "did the offensive player alter their direction in a way to draw contact w/ the defensive player in an attempt to draw an obstruction call?" Now I can't read the base runner's mind but straying outside of a direct line to the base for no apparent reason and colliding w a defensive player is not going to draw a obstruction call from me. I have incidental contact. Play on.
