Obstruction

[Rmwttm]

NFHS rules. R1 on 1st base. Batter gets a hit into RC field. R1 is obstructed by F5 as he rounds 2nd base. "Obstruction" is called resulting in a delayed dead ball. F8 throws toward 3rd base and ball is cutoff and B/R is thrown out at 2nd base. My question is: Does the B/R have protection due to the obstruction call? Or is the B/R advancing at his own risk? Therefore the out stands.

[BSBAL18]

The purpose of the "Delayed dead ball" is to allow other scenarios to play. In a dead-ball scenario, all play is stopped and the umpire enforces whatever rule is needed with returning runners to a base or awarding bases.

In a delay ball for obstruction, the defense may continue play and record outs on runners that have not been affected by the obstruction (in your case, the BR). The BR can be thrown out at second as in your OP.

If the throw was to third base and R1 was out, the umpire would then invoke the obstruction and call the runner safe after the play has ended.

[Sco53]

And R1 is protected to the awarded base (3rd), but advances farther at his own risk. If R1 tries to score and is thrown out it is up to the umpires judgement whether or not he could have scored without the obstruction.

[CT1]

Only the player who was obstructed is given protection. Other runners advance at their own risk as usual.

[ilyazhito]

Originally Posted by BSBAL18

The purpose of the "Delayed dead ball" is to allow other scenarios to play. In a dead-ball scenario, all play is stopped and the umpire enforces whatever rule is needed with returning runners to a base or awarding bases.

In a delay ball for obstruction, the defense may continue play and record outs on runners that have not been affected by the obstruction (in your case, the BR). The BR can be thrown out at second as in your OP.

If the throw was to third base and R1 was out, the umpire would then invoke the obstruction and call the runner safe after the play has ended.

Then why is there the distinction in other rule codes (NCAA, OBR) between Type A/Type 1 obstruction (obstruction against a runner being played on), which results in an immediate dead ball and mandatory award of the next base, and Type B/Type 2 obstruction (obstruction against a runner NOT played on), which results in a delayed dead ball?

It would hardly be fair to keep play going if there was obstruction against a lone batter-runner who is being played on, or a runner whom the defense is attempting to put out. Having Type A and Type B obstruction, IMHO, ensures that the defense cannot legally gain an out on one runner after illegally putting out another runner. What do you think? Should NFHS have Type A and Type B obstruction, instead of enforcing all obstruction plays the same way? Many NFHS umpires also work college games or recreational games played under pro rules (OBR), so they should be familiar with the difference between Type A and Type B obstruction.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by ilyazhito

Then why is there the distinction in other rule code's (NCAA, OBR) between Type A/Type 1 obstruction (obstruction against a runner being played on), which results in an immediate dead ball and mandatory award of the next base, and Type B/Type 2 obstruction (obstruction against a runner NOT played on), which results in a delayed dead ball?

It would hardly be fair to keep play going if there was obstruction against a lone batter-runner who is being played on, or a runner whom the defense is attempting to put out. Having Type A and Type B obstruction, IMHO, ensures that the defense cannot legally gain an out on one runner after illegally putting out another runner. What do you think? Should NFHS have Type A and Type B obstruction, instead of enforcing all obstruction plays the same way? Many NFHS umpires also work college games or recreational games played under pro rules (OBR), so they should be familiar with the difference between Type A and Type B obstruction.

There is a distinction because absent a play on any runner there is no known outcome. The obstructed runner could attain his protected base without a play thus negating the obstruction.

The ball does become dead once you put out the obstructed runner so you cannot gain an additional out after the "illegal" out.

[Sco53]

NFHS. F2 is standing in the base path waiting for a throw as R3 advances towards home. At what point is the obstruction called?

[scrounge]

Originally Posted by Sco53

NFHS. F2 is standing in the base path waiting for a throw as R3 advances towards home. At what point is the obstruction called?

When you judge that he hindered or impeded the runner without possessing the ball. Did the runner have to deviate or alter his path? Did the runner get held up or slowed down? Those would be some of the indicators to use.

[Sco53]

Good clues, thank you!