Out or not?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by SamNVa

Tom,

I have to disagree with your last statement. I think that if the ball gets far enough away from the fielder, they are no longer fielding a batted ball, instead they are chasing after a ball, and can be guilty of obstruction if they get tangled up with a runner.

SamC

That is part of the problem. We do not know where the ball was when this occured. If this was just a reach or so and the defender could have easily gained possession of the ball, I would think of this as INT. If the ball literally bounced away from the fielder, it could be obstruction.

This is a play I believe most of us would know what it is when we see it.

[Dakota]

Originally posted by SamNVa

Tom,

I have to disagree with your last statement. I think that if the ball gets far enough away from the fielder, they are no longer fielding a batted ball, instead they are chasing after a ball, and can be guilty of obstruction if they get tangled up with a runner.

SamC

Actually, I agree with you Sam. My sentence was in the context of the presented situation, which said,

as the 3rd baseman turns to go get the ball they collide

I'm visualizing this as within "step and reach."

[hdsanders]

To clarify the ball was not within a step and reach of the 3rd baseman. After the deflection it was actually closer to SS. F6 was playing a good ways off the line.

Thanks for all the responses.