AZ/Miss St obstruction call
 

Can someone break down the obstruction call in that AZ/Miss St game and how it ended up being obstruction?

Here's what I saw in the ESPN video (@ 2 hr. 17 min. mark):

Arizona batting, top 7th inning, Mississippi St. leading 2-1.

After leadoff batter walked, BR2, batting the right-handed batter's box, bunted the first pitch fair between HP and F1. BR2 started to run out of the batter's box toward 1B at the same time F2 tries to run forward to field the ball. F2 puts her bare hand in the middle of BR2's back and pushes her out of F2's way, causing BR2 to briefly stumble, before returning to sprint toward 1B. F2 fields ball and throws to F4 and BR2 is called out.

After the play, Offensive Coaches talk to PU, who then meets with the other 3 Umpires in the crew. Then PU gets on the headset to talk to the Replay Officials. When that is done, PU points at F2 and then gives the OBS signal by extending his left arm straight out to his side with his had in a fist, and indicates that BR2 is safe at first.

The ESPN game announcers use the term "interference". It appears that OBS was ruled on F2 for pushing BR2 in the back, causing her to stumble.

Arizona scored 1 run in the 7th to tie the game, and 1 in the 8th to win the game.

Is this as simple as it reads:
" F2 puts her bare hand in the middle of BR2's back and pushes her out of F2's way"

Or, was it BR2 interfering with F2 fielding a batted ball.

Was F2 the defensive player with a chance to make an out on "bunted the first pitch fair between HP and F1". How far away?

I ask without knowing any NCAA rule vs. USA. I hope to find time for the video.

I haven't found the video. Do you have a link?

The announcers are woefully f.o.s., as usual.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyspZua2tYY

About the 7:30 mark. The pitcher fielded the ball and threw to first, thus meaning the catcher was not in position to make the play and as such, her pushing the BR was obstruction.

I can't say the catcher was not able to make the play, based just on distance & angle; regardless of the BR.
The ball was almost even distances between the P & C.
But the ball coming toward the pitcher seems to make that the pitcher's play and it seems the pitcher would have reached the ball first, regardless of the BR.
The throw by the pitcher beat the BR easily, confirming the pitcher had a play.

I'm going to OKC and put up a big sign that flashes red "OBSTRUCTION" each time there is one. :eek:

Then, a second sign with FOUL BALL each time it is not a foul tip. :confused:

After the non-world College Championship, I'll move the foul ball sign to the Phillies home stadium in Phila.

:rolleyes: ;);)