Fielder Obstucting View
 

I had a girl tonight, whom whenever a runner was at first, would intentionally line herself up between the runner and the pitcher. It was clear the intent was to prevent the runner from getting a good jump off the bag.

What do you do? Personally, I think it is bush league but I couldn't think of any infraction other than possible USC. Can you have an obstruction here?

Blu

USC?!?!?! Obstruction?

Youre kidding right?

As the umpire, nothing.

In the NCAA rulebook (and therefore assumably AFA), that is a defined obstruction. No where else, that I am aware of, is that ruled or considered anything other than playing defense.

Lining up between the runner and the pitcher? or do you mean lining up between the runner and the next base? If in the latter, the runner can be obstructed while in the act of taking a lead or stealing a base. But only if the runner is impeded. If the runner chooses not to take a full lead because a defender might be in the way, then you have nothing.

No, I'm sure he means lining up so the runner does not have a clear view of the pitcher's release. I think it's ludicrous as runners often move on an assumed release and don't necessarily see the actual release.

Wonder what idiots came up with that?......Oh, nevermind!;)

Biggest problem here is intent. We can't jump into their minds and know what they intended to do. No rule says where a fielder can or cannot stand in the field of play. I got nothing. If coach complains, tell the coach, "tell me where it says the first baseman can't stand between the runner and pitcher?"

Nothing!

That's one reason the 1st base coach is there. He/she has the option of moving in the coach's box, while the runner is "tied" to the base, in a manner of speaking.

If I were the runner, and the defensive player is standing in the baseline: once the ball leaves the pitcher's hand, I'm running into the defensive player (not in a malicious manner, of course) and asking for an obstruction call on my attempted steal.

I agree it's nothing by rule, except NCAA etc.

For arguement/devil-advocate sake, if we ask the question of whether the defense position impeded or hindered the runner's progress, then what?

Is it any less of an impediment than verbal obstruction?

Okay, let's go in this direction.

Where is the impediment? Why would anyone think that a runner has a "right" to be able see the pitcher's release? If a RHP releases the ball at a point the runner on first cannot see it, should the pitch be illegal?

Following the same train of thought, if a fielder catches a fly ball, should they be called for OBS if the runners couldn't see the catch and could not legally leave the base sooner as if they could if the contact with the ball was visible?

And as noted before, with the exception of the pitcher on the PP, the catcher in the box and all others in fair territory, why would an umpire take it upon themselves to "place" a player and risk a protest?