Obstruction at FB?

[Saltydog]

Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth League using OBR

BR hits a dribbler down the first base line. F3 fields the ball, however, instead of just tagging the runner going by steps over and occupies the baseline. Is this obstruction, or no since F3 has the ball. At least with other bases, most of the time, the runner has the option to retreat. Or is this just a clean play? What I'm trying to avoid is 'just run like he's not there'. I don't want baseball looking like the NHL.

[DG]

Originally posted by Saltydog
Cal Ripken/Babe Ruth League using OBR

BR hits a dribbler down the first base line. F3 fields the ball, however, instead of just tagging the runner going by steps over and occupies the baseline. Is this obstruction, or no since F3 has the ball. At least with other bases, most of the time, the runner has the option to retreat. Or is this just a clean play? What I'm trying to avoid is 'just run like he's not there'. I don't want baseball looking like the NHL.

It's not obstruction if the fielder has the ball and is in the path of the baserunner. It's a clean play.