Login | Sign Up
TechSideline

All Hokie, All the Time. Period. Presented by First Bank & Trust Company

Softball Board
◀ ▶
VTChip
Joined: 11/07/1999
Posts: 40,843
Likes: 145,955
VTChip
Founder Lifetime

Here's the puzzling part to me

Direct from the NCAA Rule book, look at point #3. It states: 1. Once in possession of the ball, the defensive player can be positioned between the runner and the base/plate. 2. Obstruction may be ruled even though there is no physical contact. 3. If in the umpire’s judgment, the runner would have clearly been put out then obstruction is ignored. 4. Obstruction can occur on a force or tag play. In both of yesterday's plays, the runner was clearly out and the so-called obstruction didn't affect the play.
Posted: 05/30/2025 at 10:19 AM ET
(In response to this post by MidloHokie)

Thread Replies (20)

Full Thread →
Hopefully the rules committee will modify the obstruction rule soon.
MidloHokie • 05/30/25 06:41 AM ET
It feels like there is always a nickel and dime rule in softball that
GBOHokie • 05/30/25 10:59 AM ET
Here's a pretty good article that advocates for a reasonable change
VTChip • 05/30/25 10:49 AM ET
This sums it up…
Hockeydad • 05/30/25 12:46 PM ET
Good in theory, but the one issue I potentially see is
VTsportscaster • 05/30/25 11:25 AM ET
Here's the puzzling part to me ◄
VTChip • 05/30/25 10:19 AM ET
It's like they are reading from a different rule book!**
VT_AD • 05/30/25 02:52 PM ET
Here's the BUT: there is an interpretation that this "clearly out" only
BG Hokie • 05/30/25 12:20 PM ET
Exactly. Once again IMO poor umpiring has forced over-legislation
hokiepro • 05/30/25 12:11 PM ET
No, this is good umpiring but a bad rule, see my explanation above.**
BG Hokie • 05/30/25 12:21 PM ET
Good umpiring would eliminate the need for over-reaching on rules
hokiepro • 05/30/25 03:39 PM ET
This is true.
RJHokie • 05/30/25 12:20 PM ET
Maybe they need to expand #3, and further define
VTsportscaster • 05/30/25 11:28 AM ET
Agree, but I bet some coaches/folks will find fault with whatever they
RJHokie • 05/30/25 11:30 AM ET
Maybe but I'm not sure that's the case, either. I mean, the obstruction
BG Hokie • 05/30/25 01:32 PM ET
You hit the nail on the head. I watched both of those plays
WestEndHokie39 • 05/30/25 10:46 AM ET
Make it non reviewable. If you have to review it to call it, it probably
FriendofCoal • 05/30/25 09:13 AM ET
Too many judgement calls that umps get wrong
VAHokie89 • 05/30/25 10:27 AM ET
Absolutely; it’s sort of like Targeting in football
hokiepro • 05/30/25 09:12 AM ET
Amen, preach on that, brother.
TomTurkey • 05/30/25 09:30 AM ET
Agreed. I do feel there is legitimate obstruction.
GCHokieof91 • 05/30/25 09:03 AM ET