Login | Sign Up
TechSideline

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

Softball Board
◀ ▶
V
Joined: 03/13/2001
Posts: 4,567
Likes: 2,664
VTsportscaster

Good in theory, but the one issue I potentially see is

Isn’t there always a fielder in the base path without the ball? Whoever has the ball and taking the runner back towards whatever base, there is a fielder “blocking” that base awaiting the ball. No coach is going to allow a free pass back to a base, they are greedy and want the out so the fielder will always be in the way. Now I know they don’t call it that way now, but by the logic of the author every rundown could be considered obstruction? I don’t know what the solution is but I don’t see a simple solution for it.
Posted: 05/30/2025 at 11:25 AM ET
(In response to this post by VTChip)

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