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Old Mon Apr 09, 2001, 04:12pm
Bfair Bfair is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 813
With the ball being thrown to F5 you probably do not have interference nor obstruction. It sounds like incidental contact. No malicious contact. The slide 8 ft. early can be mere stupidity (which we should never rule out). Sounds like runner and ball arrived near simultaneous. Now the ball comes loose.

If the fielder fails to get off the runner after the initial contact, I will likely call obstruction. My benefit of the doubt will likely go to the offense. I will not allow the defense to pin the runner down knowing they have help coming. I did not see this play, but I have seen many similar, and typically the defense lacks effort in trying to get off the fielder. Only you saw this play, but if there is no effort to get off the runner, call the obstruction. He has no right to lay on the fielder while attempting to retrieve the ball.
Many count on the ump not to have the guts to call it.

Just my opinion,

Steve
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