Here's a play to think about....

[IRISHMAFIA]

[QUOTE=Steve M]

I've got "about to receive", so no 'second' obstruction on this play under NCAA. R1 is out.

[QUOTE]

Steve,

How so? From the scenario offered, there is no way the ball was closer to the fielder than the runner at the time of OBS. Or, at least, that is the way I read it.

[Steve M]

Mike,
I'm picturing 2 separate "obstructions" on Andy's play. On the first, I have obstruction under everybody's rules and R1 is protected to 3rd. The second is when F6 jumps for the ball and R1 slides awkwardly. With this second, I'm picturing that ball & runner are about the same distance from the fielder - but the ball travels much faster, so I probably have "about to receive". College rules, with "about to receive", and that means no second obstruction.

Andy's ruling occurred to me when I first read the play. I'd have had to see that to be able to rule that way. 'Cuz I'm not at all sure that it would hold up to a protest with R1 going beyond 3B.

[AtlUmpSteve]

So far as I know, there is no direct rules basis to protect a runner beyond the awarded and/or protected base as a result of the obstruction. And, that's what we have here; she passed her protected base (third). In NCAA, there is absolutely not a 2nd obstruction, because they still use the theory of a wreck whenever the defense is "doing her job". But, even if there were, it still occurred before third, and doesn't extend her protection.

What I suspect could hold water is using the universal "meet in spirit of sportsmanship" and "shall not impose a penalty which rewards the offending team" rule in every rule set. It is unreasonable to allow F6 to obstruct without truly protecting the offense against what we judge to be the result of the obstruction.