obstruction - award a base?

[Carl Childress]

Originally posted by JJ
I second that motion. If it was a situation where I felt the runner, seeing the ball go by the first baseman and toward the fence, could have made it to second had there been no "obstruction", that's what I award him. If I don't, what's to stop any fielder from "obstructing" a runner not trying to advance in order to GUARANTEE that he won't advance in the event of a badly thrown ball?

JJ: I reckon the answer to your question is 2.00 Obstruction:

Obstruction is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of a runner.

Now, if "advancing" in your play means making "prgress" in the mind (Hell, I think I might try for second), then you got me, for sure.