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Originally Posted by rwest
I know by rule that a fielder can not be called for obstruction while in the act of fielding a ball. However, I believe this protection can be abused. Here's the scenario I'm referring to. B1 is the lead off batter. B1 lays down a bunt in front of home plate. B1 is a right handed batter so any path to first is going to put her between the ball and the catcher. If the catcher was a little slow in reacting and trips the batter-runner at home plate by rule I can't call obstruction. She was in the act of fielding and I've heard on this board that the runner is obligated to avoid contacting the fielder. I'd like to call obstruction, but I can't. It just seems to me that we should be able to penalize the defense here.
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This is HTBT to the extreme and even then it is difficult.
First, the umpire must determine that the C is the primary defender with an actual chance to field the ball. As long as both players are doing what they're supposed to do, it's nothing. If either does something that is directed toward the opposing player (pushing, kicking, anything not involved with running or fielding the ball), then the umpire needs to make a decision whether it is OBS or INT.