Obstruction or nothing

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by DG

I don't rule obstruction unless the runner was actually obstructed.

In the original post I have obstruction because the runner was knocked to the ground and a play was made on him. I don't imagine the catcher would be throwing the ball down there except to make a play.

If the BR was rounding 1b and bumps into F3 but was not making an attempt to 2b, as he would not be on a clean single being returning to infield, I don't see obstruction there.

You need to reread the definition of Obstruction.

There's only one reason why a BR would round first base, and that's to possibly advance to second. Otherwise, they would just overrun the bag or stop on top of it. If the BR is hindered while rounding, that's Obstruction, plain and simple.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Manny A

You need to reread the definition of Obstruction.

There's only one reason why a BR would round first base, and that's to possibly advance to second. Otherwise, they would just overrun the bag or stop on top of it. If the BR is hindered while rounding, that's Obstruction, plain and simple.

A runner rounding first is frequently slowing down. He brushes a fielder while slowing, that's nothing, regardless of the rules set.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Rich

A runner rounding first is frequently slowing down. He brushes a fielder while slowing, that's nothing, regardless of the rules set.

That's not how I read DG's post. He mentioned nothing about a runner slowing down. I envisioned a routine (re: aggressive) rounding of the bag that is hindered by the fielder's presence.

Hell, in softball, I often see the first baseman on a clean single set up such that the BR has to widen her rounding of the bag. In other words, the BR cannot touch the inside (front-left) corner of the bag; rather, she has to step on the top or even the outside (back-right) corner of the bag. That's Obstruction, even if it's a clean single and the BR probably had no intention of advancing further. I can't imagine that the same is not true for baseball.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Rich

A runner rounding first is frequently slowing down. He brushes a fielder while slowing, that's nothing, regardless of the rules set.

True. He said Bumps into... which I took as mild hinderance. The border between the two - definitely HTBT. I'm not saying calling every little nothing as obstruction... I don't think we're as far off as it sounds.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by Rich

A runner rounding first is frequently slowing down. He brushes a fielder while slowing, that's nothing, regardless of the rules set.

That's post-decision on advancing or not. But sometimes the runner will see something that causes him to re-attempt 2B (throw gets away, E in the outfield, whatever) so it may be wise to pause slightly before deciding on a call or non-call.

If he's still in stride it should be obs.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Manny A

You need to reread the definition of Obstruction.

There's only one reason why a BR would round first base, and that's to possibly advance to second. Otherwise, they would just overrun the bag or stop on top of it. If the BR is hindered while rounding, that's Obstruction, plain and simple.

FED has a specific case play or interp that the play presented by DG is NOT obstruction.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

FED has a specific case play or interp that the play presented by DG is NOT obstruction.

I remember an interp that sounded squirrelly to me regarding obs at first base... but I don't remember it being a runner obstructed while rounding. I thought it was while returning after going past first.

Looking at the ones I have on hand, I don't see either.

Can you post the one you're referring to?

[DG]

Best not to read between the lines.

What I said was, "I don't rule obstruction unless the runner was actually obstructed". Penalty is different upon rule set, but not whether it happened or not.

I also said "bumps into F3 but was not making an attempt to 2b".

[dash_riprock]

Obstruction occurs when a fielder hinders or impedes the progress of a runner. Contact can happen without obstruction, and obstruction can happen without contact.