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From what I'm reading about obstruction here, I think my understanding needs some "tweeking".
I had a similar play the other night where a runner was caught in a rundown between home and third. The runner was diving back to third when the third baseman "tagged" the runner without the ball. I called obstruction (and awarded home) because the third baseman physically touched the runner BEFORE the runner obtained third base.
It was actually quite strange because I was watching the play and saw the tag of the runner about 4 feet from third. I hesitated and thought, "OK the tag was made BEFORE the runner got to third so the runner is out. WAIT a second, I didn't see the ball thrown from the catcher to the third baseman. Where's the ball???" (I turn to look at catcher who clearly still has the ball in his throwing hand) Point and yell, "TIME. THAT'S OBSTRUCTION. YOU HOME."
Had a major blowup with third baseman resulting in ejection as that was the winning run of the game. The fielder said that he didn't contact the runner with any part of his body only the glove.
I was under the impression that ANY physical contact on a runner without the ball was automatic obstruction. Granted we play with OBR which allows some contact if a thrown ball is "impending", but in this situation the ball wasn't thrown.
Did I make the right call??
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