Please clarify obstruction question
 

This was a question posed by my association president earlier today.One out R1 is on 2nd base.Fly ball to outfield R1 leaves 2nd base at the crack of the bat.R1 is obstructed by the shortstop and is tagged out at 3rd base.Now if the umpire signaled obstruction and there was no appeal of the missed bag isn't she entitled to protection between 2nd and 3rd.I would have placed her on 3rd but I was told she was out. I didn't get any further replies why she was out but I'm asking here.

Once put out at 3B, the umpire should immediately rule a dead ball. Announce the OBS. If the runner returns to touch 2B, it should be permitted. If there is no movement by the runner, the umpire should announce the award.

If there is an appeal made, the umpire should then rule on the appeal.

In this situation, the defense is much better off announcing their intention to appeal before tagging her. If the defense tags the runner sliding into third and immediately alertly announces that they weren't putting her out but appealing, would you allow it as an appeal? That's somewhat out there I know, but I'm just trying to wrap my head around what it would take to turn this into an appeal play. Every other fielder yelling, "she left early; throw to second," then the third baseman tags her?
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HERBALAIRE VAPORIZER H2.1

Nothing in this post explains an out, if no appeal.

No, you must allow all runners to complete their responsibilities prior to making any awards or appeals during a dead ball

The only way would be a live ball appeal and even then, that would kill the play. You would then announce the OBS and then call the runner out on the appeal.

This is a real simple rule, don't try to out think it 'cause that will get you nothing, but trouble.;)

On another board, I have people (okay, so they aren't people, just coaches and parents :cool: ) constantly stating how umpires do not understand OBS. That they will never call it unless there is contact and rarely, if ever, award bases beyond those between which the runner was obstructed. I tell them they must have some pretty dumb umpires in whatever area they live, because this is the second easiest rule in the book behind the infield fly. I believe that and if you (generic, not referring to youngump) are one of those umpires, please stay away from my field :D

You should stay off that 'cancer' called HB

......just sayin :D

Then what would I do for fun?:rolleyes: