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Sam,
I don't think you and I are disagreeing here.
Point 1. A runner "rounding a base" and a runner attempting to advance to the next base are different animinals. In the case you cite, protection back to first is approprate. If the runner had rounded the base and was attempting to sprint to 2nd when the obstruction occured, then 2nd will probably be the choice, even if the umpire thought the attempt to second was ill advised. That's giving the offense the benefit of the doubt because of the illegal act of the defense.
Point 2. In the case I was detailing, it was to point out my opinion that the umpire at the time of the inteference between 1st and second base couldn't make a final decision about protecting the runner only to 2nd.(This seems to be one of the points that Mike and I disagaree on.) If the play proceeded normally, the "two step" bump of the runner by F3 would only protect the runner to 2nd, however in Dakota's case the play took a left turn. At that point, we have to use our judgement. The fact that a runner received a "minor" obstruction between 1st and 2nd can't give her carte blanc to continue running all the way to home plate. I agree 100% that the benefit of the doubt should still be in the runner's favor.
Depending uupon our judgement we have several options in Dakota's play:
(a) If it is our judgement that the continuing action/post obstruction evidence indicates that the obstruction has no bearing on the runner's advance beyond 2nd base,then we drop our protection when she reaches 2nd.
(b)If the runner is put out at home by such a wide margin (im my example 6 steps = approximately 18 feet = nearly one third of the distance between 3rd and home plate) we may decide that in our judgement the out was not a result of the obstruction, but instead was the result of a decision by the runner to attempt a base too far.
(c)If the runner is put out by a close margin at the plate (This is where the runner again gets the benifit of the doubt-umpire judges she was delayed 2 steps, she is out by 2, 3, 4, or maybe 5 steps,) the umpire may exercise his judgement, and continue her protection to home.
We don't have a crystal ball. But we are paid to exercise our judgement on these calls. If the rule makers wanted to take that judgement out of this type of play, it would be very easy. They could have us call all obstructions as Type A baseball obstructions, an immediate dead ball and place the runners up one base in ball stays in play, two bases if thrown ball in flight at time of obstruction goes out of play.
Does that help you keep your feet on the ground? (g)
Roger Greene
[Edited by Roger Greene on Jan 31st, 2002 at 12:55 PM]
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