OBS

[paparada]

I know I know this whole subject has been kicked around more than whether OJ did it or not, but here is a question.

I was talking with a knowledgeable player. Wait did I say that? Allow me to re-phrase. A "talkative player that does seem to get some of the rules. Much better. We were discussing the obstruction rule and I was first impressed because he was the first player I have ever spoken with that actually knew of the rule change. I love tangents. Can you tell? Anyway, he stated that it is obstruction if a fielder without the ball is stradling the bag, this would be obstruction. I told him I didn't beleive this was correct. In my opinion, stradling the bag is not blocking the players access to the bag.

Alright, hit me with you best shots.

[Stair-Climber]

I believe that in most cases stradling the base would be obstruction. If stradling the base without the ball gets in the way of the runner rounding the bag, I might give that runner the next base if I felt the runner had a chance to get there. Also, if stradling the base without the ball causes the runner to slow down on the way to that base, I will probably protect that runner to that base.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by paparada
I know I know this whole subject has been kicked around more than whether OJ did it or not, but here is a question.

I was talking with a knowledgeable player. Wait did I say that? Allow me to re-phrase. A "talkative player that does seem to get some of the rules. Much better. We were discussing the obstruction rule and I was first impressed because he was the first player I have ever spoken with that actually knew of the rule change. I love tangents. Can you tell? Anyway, he stated that it is obstruction if a fielder without the ball is stradling the bag, this would be obstruction. I told him I didn't beleive this was correct. In my opinion, stradling the bag is not blocking the players access to the bag.

Alright, hit me with you best shots.

Stradling a base is not OBS. Impeding the runner from progressing is OBS. If a player stradling the base impedes the runner from progressing, it will most likely be OBS.

If a defender stradles the bag, but gives the runner full access, this is not OBS as long as it is not impeding the progress of the runner.

[Fozzie]

Speaking ASA,
The rule reads (8-5-B)That the fielder must impede the progress of the runner.
Stradling the base without the ball as a runner tries to round the bag would certainly be obstruction. However stradling the base waiting for a throw/tag would not be, as long as the defender was not stradling the bag in such a way to block the runners path to the base.


J.L. Merriman