Interference then Collision-Did they get it right

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Under Fed rules, I was under the impression that this type of play should be ruled obstruction. Am I mistaken?

You might be thinking of 8.3.2 SITUATION K, which rules OBS on a wide throw at 1B.

But I think that the implication of the ruling of the following play is that F2 may be in the baseline if the throw draws him there. I've highlighted the relevant passage.

8.3.2 SITUATION I: R1 is attempting to score from third and F8 throws the ball
to F2. F2 is four or five feet down the line between home and third, but is not actually
able to catch the ball in order to make the tag. R1, rather than running into F2,
slides behind F2 into foul territory and then touches home plate with his hand.
After R1 slides, F2 catches the ball and attempts to tag R1 but misses. The coach
of the offensive team coaching at third base claims that obstruction should have
been called even though there was no contact. RULING: Obstruction. Contact does
not have to occur for obstruction to be ruled. F2 cannot be in the baseline without
the ball if it is not in motion and a probable play is not going to occur, nor can he
be in the baseline without giving the runner access to home plate.

As I read this play (a lot of negatives in that one clause!), it conflicts with 8.3.2 SITUATION K: if F2 is never permitted in the baseline without the ball (as seems to be the principle of Sit. K), then what is the point of this clause? The only interpretation that makes sense is that we're not to rule OBS when the throw takes F2 up the line.

I'm not sure what to make of this apparent conflict.