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Don,
If F4 has stopped the ball, and is attempting to gain control, the BR is probably just rounding the base.
If F4 has misplayed the ball to an extent that she is having to chase the ball, the umpire would need to use his judgement on the actions of the runer. If she is making a legitimate attempt to advance and is obstructed I would award 2nd base. If she is just rounding and observing the action so that she is prepared to retreat or advance if F4 throws the ball away, then absent any other post obstruction evidence, I'd give her 1st.
It is not so much the direction the runner is heading, but if the runner is making a legitimate attempt to advance. (Fed term used "legally running the bases").
Pony, (I haven't studied those rules this spring so I could be in error and it is USSSA) has a rulilng that states that a runner caught in a run-down who is obstructed is always awarded the advance base, even if she is retreating when obstructed. Their interpertation is that a runner in a rundown is to be considered as making a legitimate attempt to advance.
This is kind of like malicious contact. it is hard to describe in words, but when you see it you know what you saw.
Does that make sense?
Roger Greene
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