Obstruction/Interference

[Rich]

Tee,

I went to a clinic recently taught by Phil Janssen, a former AAA umpire and until recently in charge of evaluations of ML and AAA umpires.

He made it quite clear that the concept of voluntary release applied on a thrown ball as well -- that got my interest as I had never heard that interpretation before.

His thinking? Possession doesn't happen when the ball is secured, it happens when the fielder demonstrates possession.

I posed this play to him -- F1 covering on a ground ball to F3. F1 catches the ball and touches first base and is one step beyond first base when the BR bumps F1 (no interference/obstruction, both players doing the "right thing") and the ball falls. Janssen said that the BR should be ruled safe because he didn't demonstrate possession through the entire play.

Agree or disagree, it is an interesting thing to think about.

Regards,
Rich