Obstruction? or out?

[youngump]

Originally Posted by LIBlueASA

ASA rules, though I think this applies to any ruleset.

R1 on 2nd, R2 on 1st. Ground ball to F5 about 5 feet fair. Easy force play for F5. As F5 makes first step toward 3B, R1 and F6:

a. "bump" - inadvertently.
b. do a shuffle step to avoid each other
c. R1 pauses for a second to move around F6.

In all situations, F6 and R1 were about three steps from 2nd. IOW, R1 would never have made it to 3B safely.


I know what the rule for obstruction states, and I know that intent can NOT be judged. I also know it is a HTBT moment. Your call?

No, the F6 did NOT move into the path of the runner.

It's obstruction. I think the intent of the rule is to be non-punitive and this is a case where it falls short. In a related case, ASA basically ignores the rule and still calls out the runner who hits a fly ball. While I'd love to do that here, I don't see any way to justify it. And if in my judgement she was impeded, which I can't get away from in your description, how would you explain that call to the coach in a way that doesn't draw the words protest out of his mouth.

On a tangential note, I'm having trouble believing I'll see this -- at least as BU. I'll have started out in C and be following the ball and the ball is in the possession of a fielder who in another step will be hitting the bag for an out and then making a throw to first for a call that I'm going to have trouble getting a good look at. I'm not sure how much time I'll have to look back at the runner. Am I reacting to this play wrong?
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