Obstruction on a Steal
 

Wasn't there so I can only go by the play as it was described.

R1 steals 2nd base. The throw from F2 causes F6 to leap for the ball. Sliding runner makes contact with F6 who then goes to the ground and lands on R1. Obstruction was called.

What would you have to see in this scenario in order to call obstruction? I'm guessing (key word) that simply making contact is not enough in this scenario.

Thanks.

I got nothing on this play.

A different scenario.

Let's add to it. (A fan from the other team is now weighing in)

F6 gets up to go after the ball and collides with the runner who is now up and attempting to go to 3rd.

Anything?

Yes, that's OBS. So is lying on the runner as he's trying to get up.

And, if the OP was FED, it was also OBS if the leap by F6 "denied access" to second base (and that's how it reads to me). Of course, the minimum award in this case would be second, so it might be moot.

Depends ... no one has mentioned whether F6 caught the ball or not.

Well, Spence's "F6 gets up to go after the ball " certainly implies an answer to that.

Sure... it would .... if the OP said that... which it doesn't. :) The part where he added something to the play does. Which is what you were responding to. It is not what I was responding to.

The NCAA video section has this play for all to see. The throw goes high and by the shortstop. He comes down on the runner and obstruction is called due to impeding. A while back, the series showed a runner leading off first and the ball thrown wide. The first baseman ends up lying on top of the runner as the ball gets away. Again, obstruction was the correct call made.

Dontcha love moving target posts?

This is not OBS as F6 is "Attempting to field the ball" so there is nothing.

In NCAA ball it is. The video attests.

Wrong answer, thank you for playing. Here's your Rice-A-Roni.

It's not a wrong answer in OBR and NCAA (who just changed their rule back to basically the OBR rule).

It may or may not be a wrong answer in LL as their interp says if a bad throw draws a fielder into the path it's not obstruction.

It may be in FED.

From the NCAA Coordinators Call 3/1/11:

b. F2 moving a step or two up the line + immediate act of fielding a throw + collision = no obstruction but the base runner is still held accountable for a flagrant or malicious slide

c. F2 chasing an errant throw + collision = obstruction.

In the OP, F6 "leaps" for the ball. My guess is that it was more like play (b) than play (c).

Laying on top of a runner AFTER the ball has gotten away is most definitely obstruction.

Some received an email on that as well. Rule interpretations are dynamic things.

I responded to Spence changing the OP. The video I mentioned was shown at the NCAA Chicago meetings in January. I specifically remarked what type of play I was discussing in my post. It was not the OP.

I received the NCAA and CBUA rule interps, as well. Evolving plays make baseball rules discussion dynamic, to borrow a term. There is no need to keep stating what someone else did. Spence changed the play and the ruling I provided is exactly what the NCAA wants called.

But that's not the situation and comment that led to my response.

thanks Rich.

Maybe you should re read the NCAA again... thanks ..and just so you know I do like Rice-A-Roni

Here is the rule so you dont have to go look it up.. Princess..

A.R. 1 - If the fielder is about to receive a thrown ball and the ball is in flight directly toward and near enough to the fielder so he must occupy his position to receive the throw, he may be considered "in the act of fielding the ball." So it looks like this is what happen in the OP

A.R. 2 - When a fielder has made an attempt to field a batted or thrown ball, has missed and is in pursuit of the ball, he may no longer be considered "in the act" of fielding.

A few of us had this discussion at the NCAA meetings in January. A person 'leaping to contain a thrown ball' is not occupying a position. He abandoned his position when he took to the air to catch an errant throw.

In the OP, the defensive miscue caused the fielder to end up on top of the runner. Penalizing those at fault would be the consideration. While this is HTBT, the description shows the runner sliding INTO the base when the fielder collides with him.

Princess? What's your problem? I didn't insult you - why do you feel the need to insult me?

So, "F6 gets up to go after the ball and collides with the runner who is now up and attempting to go to 3rd." doesn't sound a little more like AR2 than AR1 to you? Sure does to me - hence the OBS ruling.

Honestly, sounds like UmpM and Rich are refering solely to the OP and not to the additional information the OPer gave. Which may explain why they are calling nothing and I'm calling OBS.

well.. I was just getting back at you for the rice a roni comment.. I really didnt mean it in a bad way.. Im sorry.. was just having some fun..