[QUOTE]
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by jdmara
Maybe I'm off my rocker here but doesn't the runner have the responsibility to legally touch each base?
|
Of Coarse PROVIDED he is NOT obstructed.
Example: B1 hits a gapper. After rounding first base F4 is BLOCKING second base. The BU signals that's OBS.
The runner having NO access to second goes around the fielder en route to third base.
Defense appeals B1 for missing second base.
Based on your response above you would allow the appeal.
If that's how you rule word would get around and coaches would instruct their fielders that when you are the BU to purposely Obstruct runners AND deny them access to the base because on appeal they would get the out.
Remember the defense is the one who screwed up so FULL benefit should be given to the runner. Generally speaking whenever there is OBS at the Bag area, the fielder by his actions is preventing the runner from touching the base.
Also, this is amateur baseball and MC supercedes OBS so you do not want runners "pushing" shoving etc. players. When I played there was no such thing as a player denying access to a base if you "catch my drift" but that was back then. Today is different.
Pete Booth