Quote:
Originally posted by Patrick Szalapski
Ah, because then it becomes a Type A obstruction? Is that your rationale?
P-Sz
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No. It's because the whole reason we are delaying the dead ball is to allow for the obstructed runner to try to advance, at his own peril, beyond any base he might be awarded because of the obstruction. Once a tag is attempted before the, "protected to," base or he is put into a rundown before the, "protected to," base, he's not going to advance beyond the base at his own peril, so there's no longer a reason to keep play live.
The rule is there, for example, to allow an obstructed batter-runner the chance at trying for the triple when the slight obstruction at first only warranted an award of second. It's not intended to give the defense more opportunities to make plays.
Additionally, if the obstructed runner is played upon like that prior to reaching his, "protected to," base, then the infraction would end up having a direct impact on all subsequent play. That ain't right.
From a practical standpoint, it would be folly to allow subsequent plays on other runners after a tag is made on the obstructed runner like that. You wouldn't even have time to fully explain the status of that play before you have to set up for another play. That would be insane. It seems to me that it's much easier just to call, "Time," when the tag is made, and kill anything else that can happen. That seems much cleaner to me.
Now, the last time I looked, calling, "Time," if a tag or a rundown occurs on an obstructed runner before he reaches his, "protected to," base was also the proper pro mechanic. It might've changed, but I doubt it.