Login | Sign Up
TechSideline

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

Softball Board
◀ ▶
BG Hokie
Joined: 12/13/2005
Posts: 48,083
Likes: 14,262
BG Hokie

Here's the BUT: there is an interpretation that this "clearly out" only

applies if the runner has not yet begun to slide. Talking to NCAA officials/umpires today around the water cooler so to speak (text messages and Facebook in reality) it is this reason that they are saying it's a good obstruction call per the rules and interpretations. Also, please note this would NOT be obstruction in high school (NFHS) and any youth sanctions I'm familiar with, notably (USA Softball and USSSA softball). I believe that the rule should come back in line with those rule sanctions and the college game would be better for it.
Posted: 05/30/2025 at 12:20 PM 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