Obstruction Oddity

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by youngump

How does considering the retouch square with the requirement to decide the award at the time of the obstruction?

This was my big question. ASA we aren't supposed to take into account post-obstruction evidence (as you are in some codes).

[MD Longhorn]

Hmmm.... people smarter than me telling me we were wrong. Must re-evaluate!

Here's what we did. By rule, when an obstructed runner is put out, we have a dead ball, so on the tag we killed the play. (Incidentally, no one was actually yelling "she left early" or anything like it - but it was (to me) obvious they were tagging her because she left early, despite any appeal language at all). Play dead on the tag, runner between the bases where she was obstructed, I felt we could not call her out (here's where I'm re-evaluating, and if someone could quote the exception Mike noted, I'd appreciate... no books at work right now), so I awarded home. Lucky for us, on the award of home, she simply went home. Defense appealed after she left the field and we rung her up then.

(So at least the result was right).

I'm finding sitch C to be interesting though. Say she made it back to 2nd and then tried to advance --- seems very odd that she'd have no protection between 2nd and 3rd, but be protected between 3rd and home.

PS to Steve, she was DEFINITELY aided in her return by the collision, both ending up closer to 3rd when the ball was caught and going forward MUCH slower when she realized she had to return. Not positive it's relevant, but to your point, it was true.

[youngump]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

(here's where I'm re-evaluating, and if someone could quote the exception Mike noted, I'd appreciate... no books at work right now), so I awarded home.

An obstructed runner may not be called out between the two bases where obstructed
Exceptions:
...
e. leaving a base before a fly ball was first touched
8-5-1 (as of 2008)

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

...if someone could quote the exception Mike noted, I'd appreciate...

8-5-B-1. An obstructed runner may not be called out between the two bases
where obstructed
Exceptions:
d. missing a base
e. leaving a base before a fly ball was first touched
EFFECT d/e: The obstructed runner is out if properly appealed.

Mike said exception "d", but it is "e" in the 2009 book.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

8-5-B-1. An obstructed runner may not be called out between the two bases
where obstructed
Exceptions:
d. missing a base
e. leaving a base before a fly ball was first touched
EFFECT d/e: The obstructed runner is out if properly appealed.

Mike said exception "d", but it is "e" in the 2009 book.

You are absolutely correct, it is "e"

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

This was my big question. ASA we aren't supposed to take into account post-obstruction evidence (as you are in some codes).

Maybe, maybe not, depends on what you are talking about.

However, to add concerning other posts, what would have happened if the OBS not occurred? The runner would have scored and then, presumably, would have attempted to return and touch the plate, then 3B and then 2B. Then, if time permitted would attempt to again advance. Unfortunately, or fortunately for the runner, there is still the caveat that the OBS runner cannot be put out between the bases where OBS. If thrown out at home the second time around without being OBS, she obviously did not earn the score, but you cannot call the runner out, so the obvious default is 3B.