Obstruction Scrambling Back?

[BigUmp56]

Runner advances to homeplate where there's a close play, however he misses the plate on the slide. The ball was misplayed by F2 and deflected a short distance away where F1 backing up the play picks the ball up. The runner scrambles back to touch the plate and while doing so collides with F2 before the touch. F1 applies the tag before the touch. It seems like a clear case of obstruction to me, but the umpires concluded that obstruction cannot occur after a runner has passed the plate. Is there any interpretation that would substantiate their claim?



Tim.

[UmpLarryJohnson]

i dont see WHY it wouldnt since you would CALL this at any OTHER base like 2 or 3. its Obstruction to me since a play is going ON--other wise the defense could TACKLE the runner going back and not get a call

[bluezebra]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Runner advances to homeplate where there's a close play, however he misses the plate on the slide. The ball was misplayed by F2 and deflected a short distance away where F1 backing up the play picks the ball up. The runner scrambles back to touch the plate and while doing so collides with F2 before the touch. F1 applies the tag before the touch. It seems like a clear case of obstruction to me, but the umpires concluded that obstruction cannot occur after a runner has passed the plate. Is there any interpretation that would substantiate their claim?



Tim.

Where was F2, and what was he doing?

Bob

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

It seems like a clear case of obstruction to me, but the umpires concluded that obstruction cannot occur after a runner has passed the plate. Is there any interpretation that would substantiate their claim?

I don't think the umpires are right in this interpretation. If F2 was not in the act of receiving a throw, he can't block the base, no matter which side the runner is coming from. Like Larry said, what would stop the catchers out there from tackling the runner if this were the case?

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by bluezebra

Where was F2, and what was he doing?

Bob

Bob,

He'd turned to chase the ball he had just misplayed. I don't think he realized F1 was right there to back up the play.

Tim.

[Rcichon]

I would have called obstruction.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Bob,

He'd turned to chase the ball he had just misplayed. I don't think he realized F1 was right there to back up the play.

Tim.

From your description, I have a train wreck! No obstruction. Defiantly HTBT!