About the MC issue....As I recall, the "runner must slide myth" and MC rulings were coming into vogue when that play happened 15 years ago. My point was that the high school age ump was very likely more in tune to making that hot topic call than contemplate the nuances of obstruction. Just about anytime a runner knocked a fielder over when a tag was being applied and especially if the ball came loose, the runner was usually called out and often ejected. In the interest of safety, I never argued such a call. It was sometimes even made in rundown situations with the ball coming over the runners shoulder and the fielder making split second adjustments that caused him to get plowed. But it was better to teach the kids to try to avoid hurting each other.

Could be OBS. From your description, it sounds like OBS, but I would have to see the play to judge it, as it depends on whether the fielder hindered the runner and how they were lined up.

I had a play at 1B this year where R1 got picked off, took off for 2B, and got in a rundown. As F3 threw the ball to F6, he stepped out of the baseline toward right field. R1 turned around and ran toward RF in order to deliberately collide with F3 and beg for an OBS call, when he could have run toward 1B unobstructed. That was not OBS.

MB, so how did you rule on R1? I guess he could have been called out if he deviated more than 3 feet from his established baseline.

As a coach, I never considered protesting a game and I don't recall any specific circumstance where I could have because the heartburn wasn't worth it. Several times, I would call out, "Hey Blue, wrong batter" to prevent the Able-Baker-Charlie stuff that would have eaten up much of our timed game ay to figure out. That said, could a call of no-OBS be protested? Let's say a conversation went like this: "Blue, that's obstruction. My runner gets home." "Nope, Coach, I've got the fielder in the act of fielding, trying to make the catch." "You do agree that the ball was well past him when they collided don't you." "Sure, but the fielder didn't have time to try to get out of the way". "The rules say he can no longer be considered in the act of fielding once the ball is past him". "Nope, it's a judgment call, Coach".

Clearly, to me at least, that is a misapplication of the rules. Is that the kind of explanation from an ump that would be grounds to file a protest? I just don't know how the mechanic works.

Not being a baseball guy, I'm only guessing here, but I'm pretty sure this would be a judgment call.

note: basketball doesn't have protests unless you are in Missouri.

That's not the (entire) rule.

After bumping into F3, R1 tried to get back to the base, which F1 was covering, with the ball. R1 was out.

Although ruling on obstruction is a judgment call, the umpire in your scenario has exhibited that he has misapplied the rule. His words, not his call, would open the call to protest, I think. (My state and no league I work allow protests, so I've never been involved in one, so I'm no expert here.)