I concur with dash.
There is a basic principle in baseball that a player cannot "go out of his way" to
create a call.
For example, from 7.09(j) Comment, we have the language:
Quote:
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...“Obstruction” by a fielder attempting to field a ball should be called only in very flagrant and violent cases because the rules give him the right of way, but of course such “right of way” is not a license to, for example, intentionally trip a runner even though fielding the ball. ...
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Similarly, from J/R, in the chapter on Obstruction, we have:
Quote:
However, it is not obstruction if
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2) a runner intentionally alters his course to contact a fielder who is not protected.
...
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Ultimately, whether the runner did or did not "intentionally alter his course" is a matter of umpire judgement. From what I saw in the replays, were I the umpire, I would have judged that the runner had done so. Apparently, U1 saw it differently.
To Rich, I would say, the runner may choose his path, but I am not going to call Obstruction if he chooses a path to create contact with a fielder that is not a legitimate attempt to advance.
JM