BR Obstruction

[BigUmp56]

BR is obstructed by F1 on his way to first base on a pop up caught by F3. The obstruction occurs prior to the catch.

Do we kill it as this is type A obstruction by the book?

Do we treat it as a delayed dead ball type B obstruction and wait to see what happens?

Do we ignore it altoghether?


Tim.

[NIump50]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

BR is obstructed by F1 on his way to first base on a pop up caught by F3. The obstruction occurs prior to the catch.

Do we kill it as this is type A obstruction by the book?

Do we treat it as a delayed dead ball type B obstruction and wait to see what happens?

Do we ignore it altoghether?


Tim.

At the time of obstruction, did you know F3 was the protected fielder?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by NIump50

At the time of obstruction, did you know F3 was the protected fielder?

Huh?

The batter is out on a fly ball obstruction like this, at least under OBR. Evans says that you should point at this type of obstruction but not signal time until he ball is caught or not caught -- if caught, the batter is out. If not caught, call time and treat as type A obstruction.

[UmpJM]

And....

J/R also agrees with what Rich suggests from JEA in footnote #36 under the discussion of ruling on Type A Obstruction:

If a batter-runner is obstructed before reaching first base, but his batted ball becomes caught or foul, the obstruction is nullified.

JM

[bossman72]

JM got it (with credentials).

Obstruction is ignored on the BR if his fly ball is caught.

[NIump50]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Huh?

The batter is out on a fly ball obstruction like this, at least under OBR. Evans says that you should point at this type of obstruction but not signal time until he ball is caught or not caught -- if caught, the batter is out. If not caught, call time and treat as type A obstruction.

Here's why I asked.
If in this sitch F1 and F3 were both making an attempt at the fly ball and if F1 'obstructed' before the umpire knew which fielder was protected as the primary fielder, then this could be interference instead of obstruction.

[JJ]

In the case presented, the batter is out (even though he was obstructed) because the fly ball was caught. My question is, are there specific rule or case book references in any or all of the codes dealing with this play? It could be interesting trying to justify the out call to a FED coach who may not be up on the nuances of the game. Thanks.

JJ

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by JJ

In the case presented, the batter is out (even though he was obstructed) because the fly ball was caught. My question is, are there specific rule or case book references in any or all of the codes dealing with this play? It could be interesting trying to justify the out call to a FED coach who may not be up on the nuances of the game. Thanks.

JJ

You're thinking too much. The flyball was caught. F3's obstruction had nothing to do with the out. B/R is out on the caught fly ball.

Really simple. Where is the nuance?

[LMan]

There's nothing to 'justify', JJ. He's out on the catch, OBS had no effect. Since you mention FED, the rules (as in Type B), "award bases the runner would have reached had there been no obstruction."

That makes it simple. Would the B/R have reached base on a caught fly ball absent the obstruction?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by LMan

There's nothing to 'justify', JJ. He's out on the catch, OBS had no effect. Since you mention FED, the rules (as in Type B), "award bases the runner would have reached had there been no obstruction."

FED rules also award the runner a minimum of one base, theus JJ's question.

I think there was an interp in the past couple of years that clarified that the BR would be out, and not awarded first on the play. Before that, an overly-strict reading of the rules would have awarded first. I don't think anyone ever did this, though.

[greymule]

a FED coach who may not be up on the nuances of the game

You're speaking purely theoretically, of course.

The J/R says to ignore OBS that has no bearing on the play, even on a ground ball. They give this example: Abel on 1B, Baker hits a hard one-hopper to F6 near 2B. Just before F6 steps on 2B, Abel trips over F3, 75 feet from 2B. F6 then steps on 2B and completes the double play. J/R says no OBS.

For umpires accustomed to doing baseball, softball can be confusing. In ASA, for example, the above-mentioned OBS would be enforced. (On a caught fly ball, however, the OBS is ignored.) In a similar vein, if with Abel on 1B, Baker hits a long, high fly down the LF line and passes Abel before the ball lands foul, Baker is out. Not so in OBR.