NFHS Obstruction by F2?

[jkumpire]

Hello again,

It has been a long time since I stopped by.

I have a quick question, based on a video play I saw recently. FED only, 1 out R3 only. Batter puts the bunt down, and it's a suicide squeeze. F1 picks it up, throws home to F2 who is straddling the plate, with the plate between his feet.
R3 gets there as F2 catches the ball, and slides headfirst as tag is made.

Is F2 guilty of OBS when he straddles the plate, or does FED consider that R3 has access to the base and so this position is not OBS unless F2 does something else to cause OBS?

I thought I read a ruling where F2 cannot straddle the plate like that, but I may be wrong. If you want to see the play, it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vid7HTji4Fs

[bob jenkins]

Not OBS

[thumpferee]

A fielder without possession of the ball "denies access" to the base...

[CT1]

Originally Posted by thumpferee

A fielder without possession of the ball "denies access" to the base...

Apparently not, since he was (somehow) ruled safe.

[Matt]

In the video, the runner had access.

[thumpferee]

Originally Posted by CT1

Apparently not, since he was (somehow) ruled safe.

I was just citing the rule verbiage. I didn't view the video.

Edited to say: just watched it. He was ruled safe because the PU went 1b line extended.

[CT1]

Originally Posted by thumpferee

I was just citing the rule verbiage. I didn't view the video.

OK, sorry -- you didn't make that clear. I thought you had watched the video & were supporting an OBS call.

[BSBAL18]

So is the consensus NOT obstruction? Does the fact the batter's knee touched the ground have any merit to the conversation? or is that only applicable if his knee touched outside the box?

[rcaverly]

Originally Posted by BSBAL18

So is the consensus NOT obstruction? Does the fact the batter's knee touched the ground have any merit to the conversation? or is that only applicable if his knee touched outside the box?

NOT obstruction.

7.3.2 SITUATION D: B1 hits (a) a fair ball, (b) a foul ball, (c) a foul tip while either foot or knee is touching the ground completely outside the lines of the batter’s box or touches home plate. RULING: Illegal in (a), (b) and (c). The batter is out for making contact with the pitched ball while being out of the batter’s box or touching home plate.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by BSBAL18

So is the consensus NOT obstruction? Does the fact the batter's knee touched the ground have any merit to the conversation? or is that only applicable if his knee touched outside the box?

These interps are from 2008, and the empahsis / specific ruling may have changed since then:

SITUATION 12: As the pitcher moves to attempt a pickoff at first base, the first baseman drops his knee and entirely blocks the runner from getting back to first base. RULING: This is obstruction. A fielder who is not in possession of the ball must provide the runner access to the base he is attempting to reach. The runner will be awarded second base for the obstruction. (2-22-3, 8-3-2)

SITUATION 13: Without the ball in possession, the catcher sets up in the base path, but does allow access to part of home plate. As the ball and the runner converge at home simultaneously, the runner contacts the catcher. RULING: As long as the umpire judges that the catcher provided access to the plate for the runner, this is not obstruction. With the play in motion and the timing such that it is about to occur, a fielder may be in the base path without the ball, provided he allows the runner access to the base or home plate. (2-22-3)