OBSTRUCTION

[greymule]

In my opinion, ASA's code would be more sensible if it did not delay the dead ball until the runner was put out but instead called for an immediate dead ball when a runner being played on was obstructed. They could reserve a delayed dead ball for situations in which the runner was not being directly played on.

In other words, I think OBR's system is better. It avoids situations in which, after an obstruction call, the defense can benefit from poor play. In the example that started the thread, the defense loses if it tags the runner from 2B out—the ball is dead and everybody's safe. But if they drop the ball on the tag, they still have a play on the runner between 1B and 2B.