"until no further action is possible"

[David Emerling]

If nothing else was learned from the recent "Obstruction" thread it was this: That well-meaning and educated umpires can seldom agree on this topic. Everybody makes perfect sense in their views ... it's just that no consensus seems ever to be reached on the sticky points.

In any case, I want to focus on one particular aspect of Type B obstruction which appears in OBR 7.06(b).

7.06(b) "... if no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no further action is possible."

It has been suggested that as soon as a runner is caught in a rundown that play should immediately be halted. Why? Is this in accordance with 7.06(b)? It seems not. Should the offense get the benefit of a possible overthrow in the rundown or some other malady that might befall the defense as a result of the continuation of play? I would think so.