foot in front of base

[shipwreck]

Situation. Throw back to first base in an attempt to pick off runner. Runner slides back into first but fielders foot is between the base and the runner and she tags her. While the fielders foot was there she didn't have the ball but then received it. Is this considered obstruction or not? Dave

[Skahtboi]

Did the runner have any clear lane back to the bag? If not, then yes, this would be obstruction.

[shipwreck]

She may have had a corner of the base to touch or she would of had to pick up her foot and touch the TOP of the base not the side. Dave

[DaveASA/FED]

Skahtboi,
Not to nit pick but you asked if the runner had any clear lane to the bag. I don't see what this has to do with OBS. If the runner has to alter her path, or contacts the fielder prior to the fielder having possession of the ball then it is OBS. Even if both edges of the bag are open, and the fielders foot is in the center of the bag, the runner has the right to any part of the base they choose. If she slides into the center of the bag (in this case the fielders foot) and there is contact prior to the fielder haveing the ball it is OBS, moreover if the fielder has their foot in the center of the bag and the runner has to make an obvious movement to try to reach an edge of the bag prior to the fielder having possession then there is OBS.

I am not hyper sensitive to OBS, meaning looking for ANY slight movement on the runner for a chance to lift my left arm, but if the fielder has their foot in the center of the bag and it keeps the runner from touching the bag prior to the fielder having the ball it is OBS reguardless of whether there was an edge she could have gone to in order to avoid the fielder. On a thrown ball it is the fielders resp. to avoid the runner until they have possession of the ball, not the other way around.

[Tex]

Agree, this is OBS. This has been well discussed at many clinics. The mere fact that a foot blocks a base forces the runner to deviate her path to the base. Clear OBS.