- Jun 22, 2008
- 3,438
- 48
On the request for INT, which is a much more entertaining story to tell, it was a HTBT play on a runner going from 2B to 3B as the SS was attempting to make the play. My judgment was no INT. After play, DC calls time and comes out to me and this is how the conversation generally went:
DC: Blue, why wasn't that obstruction on the SS?
Me: Because the SS was fielding the ball.
DC: I thought I saw you with your left arm out?
Me: No coach, you did not.
DC: But why? Can you go ask your partner?
Me: Sure (I yell down to the plate from C) "Partner did you have obstruction on the SS?
Partner: NO!
Me: Anything else coach?
He just looked at me shaking his head and walked away.
You missed a big opportunity. Should have said, "so coach, you want me to call obstruction?" When the he says "yes", turn toward your partner, stick out your left arm, announce the obstruction and that the runner stays at 3rd base. You think he was shaking his head before
However, as bit more of funtime umpire story telling , all of the above occurred on Saturday. On Sunday, I went back to, and probably remain, in bad standing with him when he began arguing with me (in his elimination game) that the hands are part of the bat. After about 30-45 seconds of me attempting to clarify for him, he insisted I call the UIC over for a ruling of which I was very happy to do. We all know, or should know, how that turned out.
You are right, but after some of the UIC stories I've been hearing lately.........