Batter-Runner and possible 1st Baseman Obstruction?
 

1. Batter-Runner hits ground ball to 1st Baseman.
2. Both racing to 1st base.
3. 1st baseman beats Batter-Runner to the bag.
4. But... 1st baseman runs through the bag and into the Batter-Runner (knocking him to the ground)

Question: Is this defensive obstruction?

(This is a slowpitch question)

Thank you

I do not know of any way a fielder with the ball can commit obstruction.

Sorry, I'm new here and just a player. (I thought obstruction was the defensive equivalent to offensive interference.) Anyway, should the batter-runner be awarded 1st base after the collision.

3. 1st baseman beats Batter-Runner to the bag.

Nope, that would be an out. If the first baseman had done something additional, like malaciously run over the Batter-Runner, you could have an ejection. But, still an out.

Ok, to be clear then:

A first baseman can run through the white bag into the batter-runner, even though the runner stays in the basepath with the intent to run through the orange base.

This seems dangerous for the batter-runner. Any large 1st baseman would have an advantage over small/fast baserunners. Why then would any large 1st baseman not do this every time a small/fast leadoff batter hits a ground ball to him.

I see how this is avoided with second, third, and home plays - the runner usually slides. But with the batter-runner running through the bag at first, hard collisions seem unavoidable. Should the batter-runner slide? Am I missing something important?

(I'm trying my best to explain the situation.)

Okay, let's be clear. The first basemen has already touched the white bag, correct? BR is no longer a BR because he has be retired. That is the end of any possible obstruction call.

There is no doubt that the game of softball naturally creates the crossing of paths, it is just part of the game.