Obstruction.....

[phillips.alex]

It's been talked about a million times, and childress even wrote an article on it, but i think the rule is changing, and i would like some input...

Situation: Fed Rules. 1 out, R1 on third. Batter hits a ball to shallow left, which is caught by the third baseman. Fast Runner tags and goes, running into the catcher just before home. the ball is bobbled by the third baseman, and:

a) just thrown on the way to the catcher (not within the home plate cutout)or
b) already thrown inline with the plate, within the bounds of the homeplate cutout (dirt surrounding home)or
c) not thrown or
d) already caught by the catcher

The collision seems incidental, not malicious, and it appears that both the catcher and runner tried to avoid each other.

Not too interested in C or D as they are clear cut. Discuss.