FED Obstruction

[johnnyg08]

Hi Fellas,

I have a scenario for those who do FED ball.

R1, pick-off attempt at 1B but 1st baseman completely blocks runner from getting back to base without the ball. BU correctly calls obstruction on the play. Which base does runner get because of Obstruction?

Please cite your rule and explain your interpretation.

I'm debating some of the verbiage in this rule with a colleague and I'm looking for more authoritative interpretations on this play. My understanding is that FED does not have Type 1 & 2 OBS like OBR. Am I interpreting this correctly? Why does FED say that "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", but then say that they get the base they would've reached had their been no obstruction?

Has this rule changed for FED in the last three years?

See page 48 in the FED rule book:

ART. 2 . . . 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. The obstructed runner is awarded a minimum of one base beyond his position on base when the obstruction occurred. If any preceding runner is forced to advance by the awarding of a base or bases to an obstructed runner, the umpire shall award this preceding runner the necessary base or bases. Malicious contact supersedes obstruction. Runner(s) will be awarded appropriate base(s) per umpire judgement. When obstruction occurs, the umpire gives the delayed dead ball signal and calls “obstruction.” If an award is to be made, the ball becomes dead when time is taken to make the award.