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Cecil,
Please restate your question because I think we have covered obstruction a lot.
Next.
Let's think about being 10 feet from a bag and somebody in the path of the runner and no legal right to be there and that person is flying. Two steps for me and I will hit that person. I have to do something immediately to avoid that fielder and the rules protect me from not being put out between the bases. Now there may have been no way that I would have gotten there safe even if I had not stopped but that judgement or perception is thrown out by the obstruction rule when I slow up or alter my path. I will get an award in this instance. It is not the base I was going to but the base I came from.
Look at the penalty as not getting an out. Actually when an obstruction occurs between a base, the offense has nothing to lose by trying to get to the next base. If they get out and ump says you never would have gotten there imhj, then you put them back at the last base touched. Some coaches teach this, especially when a BR rounds first base and is obstructed. They immediately try for second because they know that obstruction has been called (they look) and if they do not get there safe they will be put back on first.
It is the fielder's responsability to know where he is and the runner and if that fielder breaks the rules then we have the penalty.
I believe ASA has been it perfectly clear how they want the obstruction rule enforced. Some may not like that it appears to favor the offense at times but that is for discussion to change it at the appropriate time and place. Now is the time to grasp what they want and to call it that way. NO ifs ands or buts. Period. Umpires are there to ensure a fair game and enforce the clear intent of the rules. In this case, the clear intent is known and to make up your own intent or interpretation of this rule is incorrect.
The browns lost a game this year because one of their players did a bonehead play. sure the ref could have looked the other way but then Johnny evaluator would have told him he blew it. Make the tough call or stay off the field.
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