No pick off at second

[eureka25]

Here is the sitch:

Bases loaded, no outs. R2 take his generous lead as no one is holding him on. SS makes a break towards second and now is in the path of R2 on his way back to get closer to second. SS is about 5 feet off of second on the third base side as the R2 makes contact with the SS.

The pitcher makes no attempt to pick off the runner at all. It is just clear contact with no play being made upon R2. What is your ruling? Do we have obstruction called on the SS and move the runners ? OBR rules.

Thanks,
Jeff

[johnnyg08]

this is nothing

[UMP25]

Common sense and fair play should come in hand here. Ask yourself, "Self, where would R2 have gotten had no contact occurred?" or "Was R2 really put at a disadvantage?" While a runner can be obstructed with no play being made on him--in OBR it's the "delayed dead ball" type of obstruction--that doesn't mean obstruction should always be called.

One common example: batter raps a fly ball to center. As he rounds first base he slams into the first baseman, who's gawking at the ball. The ball is caught for the out. Do you rule obstruction and award the batter first? Second? No. The out stands. Note: Mechanically, it is believed one should at least call the obstruction, then, of course, disregard it on the fly ball caught. I'm of the opinion that if you see it occur on a can of corn, just wait. If the ball is not caught, you could easily call the obstruction and rule accordingly.