obstruction

[mroyal]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

newump,

Yes, under FED rules an obstructed runner is awarded a minimum of "one base beyond" his position at the time he is obstructed.

In your sitch, the R2 would be awarded 3B, despite the fact that he was obstructed while returning to 2B.

JM

How do you work around the first part of that rule: 8.3.1?

When a runner is obstructed (2-22) while advancing or returning to a base, the umpire shall award the obstructed runner and each other runner affected by the obstruction the bases they would have reached, in his opinion, had there been no obstruction. If the runner achieves the base he was attempting to acquire, then the obstruction is ignored.

In the OP, R2 is attempting to return to 2nd (not going to 3rd) and is put out due to an OB. Since he's not attempting to run to 3rd, he would be awarded 2nd since that's the base he's attempting to reach/return to. Thus the defense is penalized by not getting the out.