Question on 2006 Umpire Exam

[LittleLeagueBob]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

The question is assuming that R1 was obstructed before a play was being made on him. Thus, it's "type b" obstruction, and there is no minimum award. The answer, given the assumption, is correct.

I understand the award, or actually the lack thereof, of the obs in this sit - but I don't understand why "time" was called when the play was being made at home and the batter sent back. I thought we were supposed to wait until no further playing action, then call time and award as appropriate on the obstructed runner, but allow the out to stand (in the case).
THanks!

[UmpJM]

LLBob,

The following is from the MLBUM under the discussion of "Type B" Obstruction:

NOTE (1 ): If a runner is obstructed under this second section of the obstruction rule, play is to proceed to completion-even if it results in a play later being made on the runner who was previously obstructed. However, if such a play on a previously obstructed runner results in that runner actually being tagged out before reaching the base to which he would have been awarded because of the obstruction, the umpire shall in that case call "Time" at the moment the runner is tagged out. The umpire shall then impose such penalties that will nullify the obstruction, which will include, of course, the obstructed runner being awarded the base to which he would be entitled because of the obstruction.

Now, this is a little different from what the actual text of the rulebook says ("...the play shall proceed until no further action is possible."), but that is the proper mechanic.

If you read the Baseball Canada rulebook linked in a previous post, on pp. 11-12 there is a subtle distinction in their interp that differs from the MLBUM; i.e., they say kill the play when the obstructed runner is played upon, and make no explicit distinction as to whether the runner is safe or out, or, if out, whether out before or after he attained his "protected to" base. Under OBR, there is no "mandatory minimum" award on a Type B Obs. The way TiBear's 1st question was worded (out by a mile at home) would lead me to think that the Obstructed runner was NOT protected to home. Therefore, under the OBR MLBUM interp quoted above, I would NOT have killed the play since the Obstructed runner was legitimately out, even with the Obstruction, and I would have left the ball live and allowed the 2nd out on the BR. Under OBR. Maybe Baseball Canada wants a different ruling.

JM

[LittleLeagueBob]

Originally Posted by CoachJM

Therefore, under the OBR MLBUM interp quoted above, I would NOT have killed the play since the Obstructed runner was legitimately out, even with the Obstruction, and I would have left the ball live and allowed the 2nd out on the BR. Under OBR. Maybe Baseball Canada wants a different ruling.JM

Coach -

Thanks for the reply...given the OP I would have done the exact same thing, which is why I was confused when Bob J said the test answer was correct. I understand the need to kill the play if the obs runner was tagged out when I would have awarded home - but like you said, since he was out by a mile...I didn't understand why we should kill it...thanks again, Bob

[3appleshigh]

Yes actually Baseball canada does want a different ruling. They actually changed the wording of the question about 1 week after the test was originally released addign the bit about the Runner was thrown out by a mile. Personally, I never had enough info on whether or not there was an award or not, which is what they wanted. In the Baseball Canada interps, once the runner is played on the Play is over. Inforce the obs to the level you are going to and Make the call. Also I may be wrong, but Rounding third tells me he obtained third and was heading home.

[tibear]

After pondering this question a day or so, I have another question.

Situation: R1, # outs doesn't matter. Pitcher attempts pick-off at first as runner breaks for second, R1 involved in rundown between first and second and while slidding back into first is obstructed by defensive player without ball. Doesn't the runner automatically get second base or is he only entitled to first?

Given the question on the exam and the subsequent answer that the umpire would have to have judged the runner would have made it home if he wasn't obstructed. In my situation, the answer would have to be that R1 is NOT entitled to second but only first because infact when he was obstructed he wasn't even attempting for second but first.

[tibear]

Originally Posted by tibear

After pondering this question a day or so, I have another question.

Situation: R1, # outs doesn't matter. Pitcher attempts pick-off at first as runner breaks for second, R1 involved in rundown between first and second and while slidding back into first is obstructed by defensive player without ball. Doesn't the runner automatically get second base or is he only entitled to first?

Given the question on the exam and the subsequent answer that the umpire would have to have judged the runner would have made it home if he wasn't obstructed. In my situation, the answer would have to be that R1 is NOT entitled to second but only first because infact when he was obstructed he wasn't even attempting for second but first.

I found my own answer. Difference between obstruction A and obstruction B.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by tibear

Situation: R1, # outs doesn't matter. Pitcher attempts pick-off at first as runner breaks for second, R1 involved in rundown between first and second and while slidding back into first is obstructed by defensive player without ball. Doesn't the runner automatically get second base or is he only entitled to first?

The first issue is whether to call obstruction. NCAA, I believe, has a tighter criterion, and so lacking the ball (and hindering the runner) would be sufficient for obstruction. For FED and OBR, not so: if a play is imminent, the fielder may block the bag.

But if the obstruction is clear, then the penalty also depends on the ruleset. In FED, runner gets his advance base. In OBR type A, runner gets the base he was trying to get, in this case 1B.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by mbyron

But if the obstruction is clear, then the penalty also depends on the ruleset. In FED, runner gets his advance base. In OBR type A, runner gets the base he was trying to get, in this case 1B.

That's not the correct OBR ruling -- the runner is awarded a minimum of one base on type A obstruction, no matter which direction he was running during the obstruction.