Obstruction Penality

[manhong]

Summer ball playing pro rules. I was the plate umpire and my partner was the base umpire. Runner of second with no outs. The pitcher throws to the 2nd baseman and runner gets stuck in a run down between 2nd and 3rd. As he approaches 2nd base, a fielder obstructs the runner.

My question is whether or not the fielder should be awarded 2nd base or 3rd base??? My partner awarded him second base because that is the base he was attempting to reach when the obstruction occurred. However, in a run down, doesn't the runner get a base beyond the obstruction penality (in this case, would he get 3rd base)??? According to the pro rule book, 7.06 says "The obstructed runner shall be awarded at least one base beyond the base he had last legally touched before the obstruction." So did my partner get this wrong???

[manhong]

It should say runner on 2nd with no outs (not runner of 2nd with no outs).

[David B]

Originally posted by manhong
It should say runner on 2nd with no outs (not runner of 2nd with no outs).

The runner has already obtained 2nd so his award should be 3rd.

This is a common mistake by umpires especially on pickoffs.

Thanks
David

[nine01c]

Oh, I get it now! Just kidding.
You answered your own question. A play was being made on this obstructed runner. He gets 3B. Your partner may have been confused regarding an award to an obsturcted runner NOT being played on. In that case, you judge what base he would have made without the obstruction. Sometimes it is not an advance base, and sometimes it is.

[manhong]

It should say runner on 2nd with no outs (not runner of 2nd with no outs).