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Mike,
Thanks for the comments.
I've been thinking about the rule and this discussion most of the night. I just got home and saw your post.
Here are my thoughts on your points.
Point 1. Here I have a disagreement. A runner simply rounding a base and making no attempt to advance, who is bumped by the defensive player, and no play is attempted on her has not had her progress impeaded. I don't think any of us normally give a DDB signal and call out "obstruction" when that happens.
Point 2. Agreeed, if we could change "flawlessly to "routinely".
Point 3. Agreeed. I apologize. I must have misunderstood one of your earlier posts on that part. I thought you were saying if the runner advanced beyond the base we initially protected her to, that we could not consider post obstruction evidence to protect her farther.
Point 4. Agreeed.
Point 5. I'm not sure I understand your point here, but if it refers to point 1 above, this could be an area we interpret differently.
Point 6. I'll agree.
I think, Mike, that our main point of disagreement is the criterior we use to place a runner after obstruction.
I adhere to the interpertation that an advancing runner should be awarded the next base even if she could, and maybe even probably would, be put out if the defense executed properly. Because of the defense's illegal act we do not know if they could have executed under the pressure of the advancing runner.
If I understand your correctly, you are inclined to return her to her last base if your judgement is that a properly executed defensive play could, or should, have resulted in the put out.
Is that a fair representation of our main diference?
As to the comparison of baseball and softball, I would point out that the game of softball was derived from baseball. I think that an understanding of the original game and the history and evolution of the rules makes the understanding of both games more logical. I would agree that there are significant differences and that a ruling in one game/code is not binding on the other, but can give an indication of the intent of the rule makers.
Roger Greene
[Edited by Roger Greene on Feb 1st, 2002 at 11:13 AM]
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