Obstruction --- Debate #1,264,894

[Steve M]

Wade,
I see no obstruction in your first picture - the runner was able to go to her chosen part of the base without any hindrance. And, given the placement of the fielder's feet, I can't see where I'd see obstruction pretty much no matter what the runner did.
Now, have that fielder straddle the base - only giving the runner the side of the bag facing 2B, with the runner still wanting to go to the outside of the bag - see the obstruction? It's the Fed game with little balls that just sez "access" and means that the fielder gets to determine just how much access to give the runner. In softball, if the fielder does not have the ball, the fielder MUST YIELD to the runner - period.
The rule does intend for the fielder to disappear - out of the runner's chosen path to the base - every time the fielder does not have the ball.

Oh, and I do agree with your choice to bring the discussion away from eTeamz.

Edited to add "first" in describing the pictures.
Since I started to post this before Wade added his second pic, I'll respond to that now. No, I don't see that the runner has altered her course. She's going straight in. I do not see any obstruction in the second pic.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by Steve M

Wade,

The rule does intend for the fielder to disappear - out of the runner's chosen path to the base - every time the fielder does not have the ball.

Provide me with a scenario of what you mean exactly. Where you would call OBS, because I'm not grasping it. Where are you drawing a line on this "chosen path" deal (if anywhere)?

If F5 in on the pitchers side of the 2B bag, getting the toss from F6 to turn a DP.. so the runner hook slides into F5 (with the likely intent of breaking up the double play), you are additionally protecting her with a DDB signal?

[Steve M]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Provide me with a scenario of what you mean exactly. Where you would call OBS, because I'm not grasping it. Where are you drawing a line on this "chosen path" deal (if anywhere)?

If F5 in on the pitchers side of the 2B bag, getting the toss from F6 to turn a DP.. so the runner hook slides into F5 (with the likely intent of breaking up the double play), you are additionally protecting her with a DDB signal?

Wade - I've got no artistic ability at all - so I can't draw a picture, but I'll know obstruction when I see it. I thought I'd stated it pretty clearly.
And I do not have obstruction when a runner goes after a fielder to break up a double play.

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by Steve M

Wade - I've got no artistic ability at all - so I can't draw a picture, but I'll know obstruction when I see it. I thought I'd stated it pretty clearly.
And I do not have obstruction when a runner goes after a fielder to break up a double play.

I'll accept that.. thats fair.. you know when you see it. I do too, despite exibit A when I dont!!! lol

I was addressing the blanket statement that a fielder/catcher could not straddle a bag or block a corner or there is OBS. Because that is not the case at all. You have OBS when a fielder without the ball impedes that runner. If that runner does some goofy thing to alter themselves to draw the OBS or take out a fielder, I'll know that when I see it too.