Obstruction question

[Bfair]

Originally posted by Carl Childress

The instant that runner becomes involved in a rundown, call "Time" and penalize the obstruction. Repeat: After obstruction, the obstructed runner may NEVER get into a rundown. The instant continuing play ends, "something" must be done about the obstruction.

[SNIP]

The instant an obstructed runner is played on, all play stops.

[SNIP]

It might have been Type (a); it might have been Type (b). Now, though, it's Type (over).

The NAPBL 4.22 states [all bold print is original emphasis of NAPBL]:

Under this section of the obstruction rule, the obstruction is to be signaled by the umpire pointing laterally at the obstruction while calling loudly and clearly, "That's obstruction." The ball is not dead, however, and the umpire shall allow play to continue until all play has ceased and no further action is possible. At that moment, he shall call "Time" and impose such penalties, if any, that in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction. It is important to note that in cases occurring under this section of the obstruction rule, the umpire shall not call "Time" until all action has ceased and no further play is possible.

Umpires are reminded that 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 [my emphasis}. 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.

While the NAPBL seems to specifically state that a Type B obstructed runner being later tagged out would be cause to kill play, it does not specify that a runner played on who is safe, or even a runner played on and caught in a rundown would be cause to kill the play. They seem very emphatic with their own bolding so as to assure umpires know on a Type B obstructed runner NOT to kill the ball unless the runner is tagged out.

Carl, this would seem to agree with DA's position regarding the mechanic on a Type B obstructed runner---kill it only if played upon and tagged out---even if in a rundown, wait until he is tagged out to kill the play.

While you in the past have seemed to emphasize the need to accept official interpretation, your position of killing the play at anytime an obstructed runner is played upon seems incongruent with the official interpretation of the NAPBL.

Is there any official interpretation that supersedes what is written in the NAPBL?? What are we missing here?
Are we attempting to override official interpretation?
Is this one worth a question to PBUC??

Just my opinion,

Freix

[Edited by Bfair on Dec 1st, 2001 at 04:05 AM]