A-Rod Fake Tag=OBS??

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Don Mueller

See post #5 quote highlighted in blue.

Is this not classic OBS?

It depends on what is meant by the highlighted words. If the runner tried to get up and advance, and if he was physically prevented from doing so, then it's more likely obstruction. If he didn't try to get up and it was just a "fake tag" or other deke, then it was not obstruction (under OBR).

[tibear]

From what I'm reading about obstruction here, I think my understanding needs some "tweeking".

I had a similar play the other night where a runner was caught in a rundown between home and third. The runner was diving back to third when the third baseman "tagged" the runner without the ball. I called obstruction (and awarded home) because the third baseman physically touched the runner BEFORE the runner obtained third base.

It was actually quite strange because I was watching the play and saw the tag of the runner about 4 feet from third. I hesitated and thought, "OK the tag was made BEFORE the runner got to third so the runner is out. WAIT a second, I didn't see the ball thrown from the catcher to the third baseman. Where's the ball???" (I turn to look at catcher who clearly still has the ball in his throwing hand) Point and yell, "TIME. THAT'S OBSTRUCTION. YOU HOME."

Had a major blowup with third baseman resulting in ejection as that was the winning run of the game. The fielder said that he didn't contact the runner with any part of his body only the glove.

I was under the impression that ANY physical contact on a runner without the ball was automatic obstruction. Granted we play with OBR which allows some contact if a thrown ball is "impending", but in this situation the ball wasn't thrown.

Did I make the right call??

[mbyron]

1. How did this fake tag actually hinder the runner returning to third? If not, why is it OBS at all?
2. Even if this is OBS, why award home? Under OBR, you'd protect the runner back to third if that's where he's diving at the time of OBS.

[UmpJM]

Michael,

Agree that it's only Obstruction if the runner is actually obstructed.

However, under OBR IF a runner is obstructed while in a rundown (taking tibear at his word), it is ALWAYS considered Type A and the runner is awarded an advance base, even if obstructed while returning to his previous base.

JM

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by CoachJM

However, under OBR IF a runner is obstructed while in a rundown (taking tibear at his word), it is ALWAYS considered Type A and the runner is awarded an advance base, even if obstructed while returning to his previous base.

JM

Right you are. Not sure what I was envisioning...

[tibear]

Originally Posted by CoachJM

Agree that it's only Obstruction if the runner is actually obstructed.

Coach, so you're telling me there are situations where there is physical contact on a runner by a fielder(without ball and no impending throw) during a rundown yet no obstruction should be called?

As stated earlier, I was always taught that for type A obstruction, the easiest call in the world is if there is physical contact on the runner by a fielder. No ifs, ands or buts that was obstruction and award the next base. Was told that this is just a easy a call as a grounder that hits third or first base(fair ball).

[David B]

Originally Posted by tibear

Coach, so you're telling me there are situations where there is physical contact on a runner by a fielder(without ball and no impending throw) during a rundown yet no obstruction should be called?

As stated earlier, I was always taught that for type A obstruction, the easiest call in the world is if there is physical contact on the runner by a fielder. No ifs, ands or buts that was obstruction and award the next base. Was told that this is just a easy a call as a grounder that hits third or first base(fair ball).

Exactly what coach was describing. The bottom line to me is that obstruction is a judgement call by the umpire - did he hinder the runner from advancing etc.,

Just a little contact is not going to get OBS call automatically. In your rundown just by contacting the player with his glove does not make it obstruction.

But it all depends on how much contact - a player could knock a runner down with such a tag or force him to take a couple of steps outside of his intended path etc., - that could be OBS.

Thanks
David

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by tibear

Coach, so you're telling me there are situations where there is physical contact on a runner by a fielder(without ball and no impending throw) during a rundown yet no obstruction should be called?

I think that 99% of the time, contact during a rundown will be obstruction. A fake tag (or more accurately, a tag without the ball) on a runner already diving back into the base might be the exception that proves the rule.