Returning Warning?

[Scooby]

Sit. R1 on 3rd and R2 on 1st. On the pitch, R2 slowly steals 2nd to try to get into a rundown. The catcher throws to the SS and R1 breaks for home and scores. R2 returns to 1st and is obstructed by the 1st baseman. I award 1st. Is this a NCAA returning warning on the 1st baseman?

[agr8zebra]

Page 75 of the current book
Effect 9.5.3.7 to 9.5.3.10
Delayed dead ball, issue warning to the offending player and notify her coach.
The next offense by the same play an One-base award.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Scooby

R2 returns to 1st and is obstructed by the 1st baseman. I award 1st. Is this a NCAA returning warning on the 1st baseman?

NCAA Rule 9.5.3.8 says, "A fielder shall not at any time obstruct a runner returning to or leading off a base." So, Yes, if you feel F3 obstructed R2's return to first base, then you should issue F3 a warning, and make sure that your PU partner annotates the warning on his/her line-up card for F3's team.

Now, I'm wondering what actually happened while R2 was returning to first base. Was she running back to the base in due haste to prevent a play on her? Or was she just trotting back to the bag and casually bumped into F3 while F3 was moving back to position? I guess I'm questioning the real need to rule obstruction on this.

For example, if the BR hits a clean single, rounds first, then turns to lollygag back to the bag while the ball is being thrown to F1 back in the circle, and she makes contact with F3, I don't necessarily think that is due cause to make an obstruction call. This one may not be worth a call.