#514 rule 7.06

If you're following baseball at all, you know that the Cardinals won Game 3 of the World Series on an obstruction call which allowed the winning run to score in the bottom of the 9th inning.  The Boston Red Sox third baseman was on his stomach on the field as the Cardinals runner was trying to get by.  Whether he intentionally was in the runner's way or not was of no consequence and the umpire ruled it an obstruction, allowing the runner to advance.  

As you can imagine, such an obscure call at such a crucial point in the World Series caused a flurry of debate and doubt, but the call stands amidst the protests.  The call overshadowed the brilliant catch to start the sequence of events and throw out the first runner at the plate, and if the Cardinals win the series it will live in infamy as the play that cost the Sox the title.

It is unlikely that your organization has an umpire to make the calls and enforce the rules.  But if you did, would you have received an obstruction call for how you have played parts of the game?  Just as with the World Series call, intent does not factor into the decision.  Even if it is an unfortunate circumstance, your actions can impede the ability of others to do their work as intended and that is defined as an obstruction.

That leaves it to you and your people to play with integrity and make your work as fair as it can be.  Be your own umpire and call yourself for obstruction if it's warranted -- even in the bottom of the 9th inning of the World Series.

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

Source:  msn.foxsports.com 
MLB rule 7.06 explains the obstruction call in Game 3 of the 2013 World Series -- MLB News/Fox Sports on MSN