Obstruction?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by steveshane67

not to hijack the thread, but I was under the impression that you would only award a base if the runner actually proceeded to run to said base and the obstruction resulted in the runner being put out. Meaning if the runner makes no further attempt to advance after the contact with the fielder, then it would be awfully hard for an umpire to judge that the obstruction caused the runner not to reach the next base (obviously extreme cases like a fielder tackling a runner exist).

This criterion is not part of the rule or its usual interpretation. The rule uses language like "hinders the runner in his attempt to run the bases," and running the bases does not always mean advancing to the next base.

For example: R2, batter singles. R2 is obstructed by F5 rounding third, falls down, and returns to 3B. This is textbook OBS, and the runner must be awarded home.

[steveshane67]

Originally Posted by mbyron

This criterion is not part of the rule or its usual interpretation. The rule uses language like "hinders the runner in his attempt to run the bases," and running the bases does not always mean advancing to the next base.

For example: R2, batter singles. R2 is obstructed by F5 rounding third, falls down, and returns to 3B. This is textbook OBS, and the runner must be awarded home.

I understand if the runner falls down OBS would be called, but Ive never seen a base awarded when the runner and the fielder "merely bump shoulders" or similar "incidental contact", which seems to be the situation described by the OP and was the situation I was trying to imply in my post.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by steveshane67

I understand if the runner falls down OBS would be called, but Ive never seen a base awarded when the runner and the fielder "merely bump shoulders" or similar "incidental contact", which seems to be the situation described by the OP and was the situation I was trying to imply in my post.

I have called OBS when there was no contact at all, if the runner had to go around the fielder.

OBS should be called when it occurs, not when the runner is thrown out at the plate.

[kylejt]

Let's simplify type b obstruction.

You simply award the runner what would, or could have happened if the obstruction didn't take place. That may be the next base, back to the current one, or nothing at all.

i.e. if you see a slight OBS at third, but the runner is thrown out at the plate by 15', you've got still got OBS, not an award of the dish. Either way, he was dead at the dish.

So, in the original play, R2 gets bumped by F5 at third, but the catcher has the ball at the plate. Could he have scored? No, so no award.

[steveshane67]

Originally Posted by steveshane67

I understand if the runner falls down OBS would be called, but Ive never seen a base awarded when the runner and the fielder "merely bump shoulders" or similar "incidental contact", which seems to be the situation described by the OP and was the situation I was trying to imply in my post.

Sorry about this, apparently [ASA] softball and MLB baseball have different rulings on OBS, and I was going off of my softball playing days where OBS is all to common.