Let's talk obstruction rule ASA

[Gulf Coast Blue]

OK Don.....I would have obstruction in both of these cases.

In case 1 you said that the runner would not make it to 2nd in your case.....but you ruled she was obstructed and she tried for 2nd anyway and gets put out. Remember that a runner MAY NEVER BE PUT OUT between the two bases she was obstructed. In case 1....you put her back at first (ASA Interpretation).

Because obstruction is a delayed dead ball, you must let play continue so the defense may play on any other non obstructed runner. Once the defense plays on the obstructed runner, the ball becomes dead and the umpire awards the runner the base/bases they would have made had obstruction not occured. In your case in play 1 that would be 1st base and in case two that would be third (the base you protected her to).

Remember, in most softball (LL and Pony might be different)......if the obstructed runner is not played upon, you do not AWARD them bases until they are put out.

In your 2nd situation, when you called obstruction......you protected the runner to third......she cannot be put out on a play at third.

Joel

[Edited by Gulf Coast Blue on Mar 25th, 2001 at 06:02 AM]