Interference or obstruction
 

tough play but since F1 fielded the ball, F4 is guilty of the obstruction. If F1 had let the ball go, then it would have been INT on the runner since F4 would have been fielding the ball.

Dont know what F3 was doing there, even without the collision, no one had first covered so everyone was going to be safe.

Thanks
David

Generally agreed.

The umpire must determine who is the protected fielder. Contatct with that fielder will be interference. Other fielders are guilty of obstruction. (Both statements assuming something needs to be called and recognizing that contact is not necessary for either call.)

I was leaning in that general direction, too. I've just never seen anything where there were multiple fielders trying to field the same ball.

I agree that there wouldn't have been a play at first, but Bartlett would more than likely been a dead duck at 2B on the force. I even looked to see if Bartlett tried to intentionally make contact with Blanco, and that didn't appear to be the case.

Since a MLB umpire ruled obstruction, I think it is safe to say it was indeed obstruction.

Anyway, I thought I would throw it out there as perhaps a learning tool with the very slight chance this may happen in someone else's game. It might help ease the confusion.

W/O reading the other posts, it appears as though the umpires protected F3 on this play and not F4. Therefore OBS is my ruling.

Of all the fielders involved, F3 seems to be the least likely to be protected.

I don't think any fielder was actually protected on the play. Just an obstruction call on Blanco.

The interps suggest that if in doubt, typically they choose the fielder who's closer or closest to the ball.

Who you do feel should be protected or was protected here? Unless you think it should have been interference with F4 not being afforded the opportunity to field the ball unimpeded?

Your thoughts?

Check that on my previous post...I just read this one.

Yes indeed. Thanks for posting.