Interference?????
 

Did a high school J.V. game last night, with one team being exceptionally better than the other, not that that makes any difference. Had a play at 2nd base, on a steal attempt, that I realize was a HTBT kind of play but thought I'd throw it out there for some discussion. R1 on first breaks for 2nd base on the pitch. The F4 was standing on the bag awaiting the throw. R1 elects not to slide but pulls up at the last minute actually bumping into F4. The ball arrives at the same time the physical contact occured. F4 momentarily had the ball in her glove attempting the tag but then dropped it!!! I ruled R1 "SAFE" on the dropped ball. Defensive coach wanted interference called, saying F4:eek: has the right to the bag awaiting the throw. R1 could have opted to slide, as her basepath to the bag wasn't blocked. Coach yells that she has to slide, which I told him there is no such rule!!! What say ye???

Sliding
 

I'll take a shot at this.

Player doesn't have to slide. It is my understanding the runner has the right to the base. Not what part of the base the defensive player choses to give her. So it sounds like your call was the right call.

If the runner checked up before F4 had possession of the ball (which is what occured as posted), it is obstruction. What if the runner wanted to continue toward 3B? Foolish, maybe, but she has the right to do so.

The rule is plain and simple. The defense cannot impede the runner without possession of the ball. NFHS was one of the first to go to this requirement, so the coach should be well aware of the rule.

I agree with Mike on this one. As I was reading the OP, I was thinking that this is a clear cut example of OBS.

Playing the devil's advocate here, but what if the ball got to F3 a second of two before R

Sorry for the typo. What if the ball get's to F4 a second or two before R1 pulls up and bumps F4 who then drops the ball????

It isn't the "bump" that is the OBS. It is the defender's presence in the R's path. If the runner slowed before the ball got there, it is still OBS.

AFA the other, it would depend on whether the "bump" was hard enough to cause the ball to be dropped or whether the fielder just missed the through. That part would definitely had to be seen.

Thanks for your reply's, as I actually thought about possible obstruction while the coach was ranting and raving for an interference call. We officials have such a short amount of time to see/think/and make the call, but I think spending alot of time learning from the more experienced ump's on this board is finally paying dividends:-))))

It's been my experience that this (and similar plays) is the most often mis-called obstruction out there. Umpires should, in cases like this, signal obstruction 100% of the time, even if the runner was safe. Most don't if the runner turns out to be safe before they have time to signal.

Remember - you have the potential for OBS ANY time the fielder is in the runner's path without the ball - you should be thinking that you have potential OBS already at that point. If runner reacts to this fielder at all (slows, contacts, reverses, slides, whatever) before that fielder obtains possession of the ball, then you have OBS, and should signal it immediately.

It may turn out that you have no award (as in this case), but it could be important as play develops further that you signal what you saw.