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Originally Posted by The Max Swineberg 7
Batter/runner is heading for second on a ball she hit to left field. As she rounds second, she bumps into the second baseman. The second baseman had her left foot on the left field side of second base, with her right foot extended....almost looking like a first baseman. She was expecting to get the ball thrown to her, but it was cut off by the shortstop.
I didn't call obstruction because I felt that she left most of the base open, and I usually see player hit the inside of second when heading toward third.
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Max, why would that make a difference. The runner always has the right to determine their own route, not the defender.
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There was a bump and the PU called obstruction. I didn't know this until after I called the runner out in a rundown between second and third.
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No problem there, that is what you are supposed to do.
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Was this obstruction? I mean, to me I know the baseline is determined by the runner, but the fielder was set and made no attempt to get in the path being on the left field side of the bag with just a foot on it. My buddy said any contact is obstruction.
Who's correct?
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The BASELINE is irrelevant to any rules. The BASEPATH is determined when the defense attempts to make a play (tag) on a runner. The fielder without the ball, or not in the act of fielding a batted ball, has zero rights on the field and must yield to the defense.
While contact is a pretty good indicator, it is not required.
From the information you offer here, your partner was correct in making the call and enforcing the effect when the OBS runner was put out.