[devilsadvocate]

Carl
You state:"a. The instant that runner becomes involved in a rundown, call "Time" and penalize the obstruction. Repeat: After obstruction, the obstructed runner may NEVER get into a rundown. The instant continuing play ends, "something" must be done about the obstruction." Third world play: B1 rounds first, and is slightly bumped by F3. As he continues to second, he trips over his own feet. Now the slight bump cost him two steps, but the trip costs him 10 steps (maybe steps will someday become a standard unit of measure, grin). While the player is on the ground, the ball is picked up in the outfield and thrown into second. No play was being made on the runner when the obstruction occured. The fall would be considered action after the obstruction. If the runner got into a rundown, the umpire may or may not protect the runner. J/R gives an example where the runner is obstructed by the shortstop, is protected to third, rounds third and falls, and states the the umpire may protect the runner back to third. So I guess I'm saying that maybe if the runner put himself in the position of a rundown after Type B obstruction he might not be protected.

My question to you would be "When considering action after the obstruction and a player falling down of his own doing, what guidelines do you use to decide if the runner is protected?" When I first read the J/R play, I thought the runner would be out if the fell after reaching the base he was protected, but obviously there is room for judgement there. Any insight?