obstruction or out

[fiasco]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

I've got a DMR (Dumb Move, Runner) and an out. Fielder had the ball, so there's no OBS. By rule, this is not a fake tag (See Rule 1 - Definition of Fake Tag and Rule 8-5-4-C).

I'm gonna play devil's advocate here.

According to the definition and the rule, it is obstruction if the fielder "tag(s) without the ball."

The spirit of the rule is to prevent fielders from "faking out" the runner by applying a fake tag. "Without the ball" applies not to the fielder having the ball, but the tag itself.

You read it as "fielder FAKES A TAG without the ball", meaning the fielder fakes a tag but doesn't have the ball in his/her possession.

I read it as "fielder fakes a TAG WITHOUT THE BALL" meaning the tag lacks the presence of the ball to make the tag an out.

I'm not sure if there's an official interpretation on this, but if not, I'm going with the spirit of the rule here. Runner is safe at 2nd.