The Official Forum - Obstruction

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Quote:

Originally posted by bob jenkins
This thread reminds me of the similar, much discussed, play: R1, off on the pitch. BR flies to right. F1 realizes that there might be a chance to "double up" R1, so F1 moves to back up the expected throw from F9 to F3. While crossing the foul line, F1 gets in the way of BR. The fly ball is caught. Place the runners.

NAPBL (and probably other OBR sources) have specific language that the obstruction is ignored. IMO, that logic should be applied to FED as well.

I wouldn't have to place the runners. BR is out, and R1 is either out or safe on his return to 1B, depending on when the ball arrived from F9.

Quote:

Bob,
The PBUC Manual treats Batter/Runner obstructed before reaching 1st base in section 4.30. I wouldn't characterize the recommended mechanic as "ignoring" the obstruction. Nor does the reason for F1 obstructing enter into consideration.

PBUC says "..if the batter runner is obstructed before reaching first base on a fly ball or line drive that is caught, the B/R is out. The reasoning here is that the obstruction had no bearing on the fact that the batter hit a fly ball that was caught by the defense. Similarly, should the B/R be obstructed before reaching first base on a foul ball not caught, the foul ball prevails. Again, the reasoning is that the obstruction had nothing to do with the fact that the runner hit a foul ball."
It then considers three cases: ground ball to an infielder, pop fly or line drive to an infielder, and
" Case 3: B/R is obstructed before reaching 1st base on a ball hit to the outfield. Ruling: Call the obstruction by pointing at the obstruction and yelling "that's obstruction"; however, leave the ball in play until all action has ceased. Then call "time" and impose such penalties, if any, that will nullify the act of obstruction. If a fly ball is caught in this situation, batter-runner is out...."

IMO, this logic and mechanic can't be applied to FED rules, given FED's automatic award of at least one base.

That is, of course, the counter argument.

Maybe someone who has the ear of someone on the FED rules committee can get them to address this.

The FED penalty for obstruction is not applied if the runner is not entitled to run, thus a caught fly ball is an out, an uncaught fly ball is just that regardless of what happened to the batter on his way to 1B. And if a runner is forced he must go forward to get obstruction not backward.

Think about it, if we automatically award the next base, then every high fly to the outfield would be an opportunity for BR to round 1B and run into F3 and get awarded 2B and every easy DP ball to the SS would be an opportunity for R1 to return to 1st to get obstruction call on F3 and get awarded 2B. This can not be the intent of FED.