Another Obstruction Question(s).
 

Question #1..
R1 rounds first base and is obstructed by F3.
R1 continues to second base and is thrown out at second base.

Question #2..
R1 rounds first base and is obstructed by F3.
R1 continues around second base and is thrown out at third base.

Question #3..
R1 rounds first base and is obsructed by F3.
R1 continues around second and third base and is thrown out at home plate.

What's the call in the above three situations????

Thanks

depends ...

on all 3 the runner cannot be put out between 1st & 2nd;
on all 3 its a dead ball when the obstructed runner is put out;
then you put the runner where you think she would have made it had the obstruction not occurred ...
in #1 that could be 1st or 2nd
in #2 it could be 1st 2nd or 3rd
in #3 it could be any!

so its not a straight "runner get awarded this base" answer ....

Simple. Delayed dead ball signal given, and OBS announced. If you are asking the awards, then I cannot say. That is dependant on which bases the umpire felt the runner could have attained had the OBS not occurred. This applies to all three situations/questions.

Now, in the first case, the runner could not be put out between the bases in which the OBS occurred, so they are either going to be awarded second or returned to first. (Though some codes make the reward of second automatic.) As to the other two, strictly umpire judgement based on the play. The runner could be out, or there could be a base award coming.

Important note:
 

An obstructed runner can be put out between the two bases he was obstructed between if he commits a subsequent act of interference. Just wanted to make sure we didn't muddy the waters...lol.

Above bold is mine to highlight this. I think is it important to note this is not necessarly true. As mentioned by others this runner could be out in all cases.

Case 1-INT overrules OBS so if the runner commits an act of INT then they most certianly can be out
Case 2and 3- if in the umpires judgement the runner would have only obtained 2nd base (in case 2) or 3rd base (in case 3) then they would be out if they passed the base the umpire judged they would have recieved had there been no OBS. This is a common error that coaches make thinking their runners are protected forever when OBS occurs.

Had a girl get obstructed stealing 3rd, coach tried to get her to go home left field was holding the ball so she stayed on 3rd. Good thing, but coach started telling her, "if your obstructed here you should try for home the worst case is they will bring you back to 3rd" inbetween innings I casually explained OBS to him.

My point in all this is OBS is a HTBT call, and there are ways to get outs on every one of these plays....take home point is play as if you are still liable to be put out and then let the umpire award any extra bases after the play, ie don't take risks that you would not have taken had there been no OBS, cause umpire might judge you have overrun your protection!!!

This is not true without qualification. Except for #1, it is a dead ball only if the runner has not attempted to advance beyond the base the runner would have achieved (in the umpire's judgment) had there been no obstruction. So, if (for example) in #2 the judgment was 1st or 2nd, then the out stands and the ball remains live. Same for #3 if the judgment was anything other than home.

Except for the very basic stuff already mentioned (delayed dead ball signal, can't be put out between 1st and 2nd barring certain subsequent infractions by the runner), there is not nearly enough information to answer your questions. Would the batted ball have been judged (for example) a single, double, triple, or inside the park home run had there been no obstruction?

Depends on whether the umpire believed the runner would have safely reached 2B had the OBS not occured.

Depends on whether the umpire believed the runner would have safely reached 3B had the OBS not occured.

Depends on whether the umpire believed the runner would have safely reached home had the OBS not occured.

If the umpire believe the runner would have reached the noted base safely had the OBS not occured, safe. Otherwise, out. Only in #1 could the runner be returned to the previous base safely.

Since none of the OP mentioned missing any exceptions to the OBS rule, I'm pretty sure these answers are accurate. :D

You just succeeded in doing that. There was no mention of INT in the OP. :rolleyes:

correct, there wasnt

I was referring to this part of the post just prior to mine. What I've quoted here is not correct. But I see your point in that the OP didn't mention INT.

in all cases if you protect a runner to a base you award it at the end if it is not reached. if the runner continues past it or commits an act of interference subsequent to the obs then in both those cases the runner can be put out. All of which are judgement calls.

But it is correct insofar as the OP was concerned. Remember, we are not discussing the entire rule or range of possibilities of OBS, just what the OP asked.

As said - we do not know if it was a routine single or a gapper (Situation #3)
Assuming it is a gapper (or similar) I will watch the play develop before forming in my mind to where she will be protected. No way at that point am I determining double, triple, or HR. if outfielder bobbles in outfield or whatever, and the runner is ultimately thrown out at plate - I'm likely ruling that the OBS at first was slowing enough to cause the out. Therefore I have safe (award of home).

Maybe to be clearer - any subsequent "close play out" would likely result in awarding that base.

Of course this would not necessarily be true with stops and pauses and throws and run downs , etc that may happen. I'm talking about continous play.

O no :eek: here we go again, the great make a decision at the time of the OBS vs watch the play develop then make the decision.....I hate this one:cool: