Obstruction, missed base

[GA Umpire]

Originally Posted by Ump Rube

Sorry to comment and run, gotta get to the field. But, we cannot use the idea that the runner thought he touched the bag. If that were the case then almost every runner would be safe b/c they all think they touched the base.

Out for now, back tonight. Can't wait to see where this goes.

If OBS is involved, you can use that thought if you judge OBS is the reason he missed it. Mainly, you have to judge if he missed it due to OBS or if he missed it not due to OBS. That is what determines if the appeal is upheld or not.

If he is within a reasonable distance of the base and OBS occurs and he passes the base after OBS, I would award him the base and not uphold the appeal b/c IMO, this would apply the appropriate penalty which would nullify the OBS. That is the main idea: What would nullify the OBS if it had not occurred? To me, not upholding the appeal would nullify it.

Now, I say this if he is within a reasonable distance. If he is something like 2 feet away and stops short, then the OBS did not cause him to miss it. It caused him to not reach it. But, if OBS occurs and he goes beyond the base on the play, I will not uphold an appeal as long as the OBS caused him to miss it.