OBS case(s)

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by youngump

Second, if a runner is bumped before a base and as a result falls or stumbles past the base, then HTBT, but I'm likely determining that they were obstructed both before and after the base and have them protected on both sides of the bag.
The rulebook isn't super clear on the latter but we've had discussions to this effect here before. It basically comes down to where the obstruction occurred in your judgment and in my mind I tend to judge that it occurred over the space the runner was actively hindered..

I'm solidly in that camp. Obstruction, the fact that a runner is hinder or otherwise impeded, should not be considered as existing at exactly and only one spot where it began; it should be considered in its' totality, and for the entire area it results in the runner being impeded. I hardly believe that in the cited post. the runner was hindered just that instant ("barely before reaching third", and was fully recovered and no longer hindered one step later past third.

I often use driving analogies; right of way, etc. This, to me, is like the traffic on my GPS; it barely helps to tell me there is an incident 8.3 miles ahead if they don't also tell me there is already a 2.1 mile back up!! Well, more like the inverse, I suspect; you have to consider the affect and length of space necessary to regain balance and full speed as part of the initial obstruction if the goal (as stated) is to fully negate the effect of the obstruction.

On the field, I'm considering what I read here from CecilOne as obstructed both before and after; the judgement of home may not happen, but I'm not having an out on this, either. To me, any other more literal ruling simply isn't fair to the aggrieved party, and ultimately rewards the defense for obstructing.