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Originally posted by spots101
Play #1 - BR hits ball into short right field. As he is rounding first he collides with F3 who is watching the ball and in the runners path. A few moments after the collision the ball (from F9) is caught at 2B. I did not call obstruction & send the runner to second because IMO I felt that the runner would not have made it to 2B despite the collision. Did I make the right call or should I have sent the runner to 2B no matter what?
The scenario, I did not call obstruction because IMO I felt that the runner would not have made it to 2B despite the collission is NOT a factor in whether or not you call obstruction - IT IS a factor when you are awarding bases.
What I mean by that is: If F3 is in the base-path and IS NOT in the act of making a play, and causes the runner to slow down or avoid (go around him / her), you signal Obstruction. Since No play is actually being made (the ball is still in the outfield), this is Type "B" Obstruction.
You wait until play ends or the defense makes a play on the obstructed runner and then you call TIME. If as you say you felt (judged) that R1 would have been out at second EVEN if NOT Obstructed, then you would protect back towards first ONLY.
In any event the Obstrcucted Runner gets SOME protection be it the "advanced to" base or "retreat to" base.
Also, as Bob mentioned, a simple bump does not in itself constitute obstruction. On most plays B1 now turned R1 will make that wide turn rounding first trying to "draw" a cheap Obstruction call similar to basketball when the defender will Fall down trying to "draw" a charge call from the official.
Side Note: In FED, the Obstructed Runner ALWAYS gets at least a 1 base award.
Play #2 - B1 hits ground ball to F6. R1 on 2B times it just right to where he lets the ball pass right in front of him and this action causes F6 to misplay the ball. From my position (I was by myself) it appeared to me that the ball hit the runner. Therefore I called interference on R1. Did I make the right call?
Also, what if the runner jumps directly over the ball?
If the ball hit the runner, then it's interference. If the runner stopped allowed ball to pass and then continued, I have NO interference unless the runner did something like waving his / her arms in front of the fielder.
Pete Booth
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Peter M. Booth
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