With a man on first, B1 hits it to the outfield. As R2 heads towards third he is obstructed by F6. R2 attempts to score and gets thrown out on a banger. Could you allow the run to score because of the obstruction by F6? I think the answer is umpires judgement but how is an umpire to determine if the runner would have scored if there would not have been an obstruction?

Greg

<p>Greg:<p>Your play is one I have used for years to demonstrate obstruction. Here's a step-by-step explanation of what the umpire should do:<ol><li>At the moment of obstruction, point to the infraction and yell, "That's obstruction!" Your goal is for all action to stop, for that makes you job easy.</li><p><li>You say to yourself, "R1 has third."</li><p><li>R1 continues to advance. You say to yourself: "I may protect him to the plate. He may have gone a base too far."</li><p><li>He is out a mile: a base too far. He is out on a banger, as in your/my play. Even Smitty can figure out that the hindrance between third and second affected the outcome. Score the run.</ol><p></li>You won't even have to eject the assistant coach.