Rundown Obstruction?

[AtlUmpSteve]

Think in terms of driver education, rwest, and who has the "right of way" on our highway. Consider that the baserunners almost always have the right of way, and that fielders can only gain the right of way in specific cases, which are limited to 1)being in possession of the ball, or 2)in the act of fielding a batted ball.

If a wreck happens on the highway, the vehicle without the right of way is at fault. A car that hits yours, or pulls out in front of you when you have the right of way and insufficient time to stop is at fault. In the case where the car pulls out and you do have time to stop, but don't, then their transgression is superceded by yours. Same principles here; runner has the right of way, but if fielder obstructs but runner crashes, the interference supercedes.

It seems to me that too many of us want to give the fielders equal rights, but they don't have equal rights. Just in the specific cases noted; otherwise, they have no rights, and are at fault.