Giants game obstruction

[Forest Ump]

Who got obstruction on the SS here when Sandoval ran into him at 2nd? I didn't see the umpire signal anything in the actual game. It's hard to see in the video. It happens at 32 sec. I have obstruction and would protect Sandoval to 3rd if he needed it. Also, that bunt by Zito was just amazing.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by Forest Ump

Who got obstruction on the SS here when Sandoval ran into him at 2nd? I didn't see the umpire signal anything in the actual game. It's hard to see in the video. It happens at 32 sec. I have obstruction and would protect Sandoval to 3rd if he needed it. Also, that bunt by Zito was just amazing.

No way - no how - no place - no time.

Ball, fielder, runner arriving at basically the same time - train wreck. Remember that in the OBS rules in OBR the fielder can be in the act of fielding - he doesn't need to be in possession.

[Forest Ump]

Rich...I agree somewhat as I know the fielder can't just disappear after missing a chance to field the ball. However, I would still protect Sandoval if there was a close call at third. How could you not? He was clearly impeaded in his advancement.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Forest Ump

Rich...I agree somewhat as I know the fielder can't just disappear after missing a chance to field the ball. However, I would still protect Sandoval if there was a close call at third. How could you not? He was clearly impeaded in his advancement.

So the fielder did nothing wrong but you're going to reward the runner anyway?

[jicecone]

A runner and a fielder doing what they are supposed to, play on.

[dash_riprock]

It's like a "tangle/untangle" play at the plate.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by Forest Ump

Rich...I agree somewhat as I know the fielder can't just disappear after missing a chance to field the ball. However, I would still protect Sandoval if there was a close call at third. How could you not? He was clearly impeaded in his advancement.

A train wreck is a train wreck. No one gets protected or penalized. If Sandoval didn't make it to 3rd, that's too bad. I understand what you are getting at but once you rule a train wreck, those feelings have to disappear.

[Forest Ump]

OK. I understand it better now. Thanks for clarifying.

[Manny A]

What if this had been a batted ball?

And the reason I ask is because I don't have any of my authoritative interpretations handy to look it up. But I thought I recall reading somewhere that if a fielder fails to field a batted ball and ends up in the runner's path, he could be held liable for obstruction. The example, if memory serves, is when a fielder is on the ground after diving and missing a batted ball, and the runner has to jump over him.