Obstruction question...(long)

[CecilOne]

As long as we're obstructing, plays from the weekend.

Two cases, different games, different umpires. The fielder is blocking either 3rd or HP w/o the ball. The runner slows down 10 - 12 feet from the fielder or starts a slide too early to reach the base/plate. One case called OBS, one not.
Without using HTBT, add your own qualifiers if needed, comment on the plays.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

As long as we're obstructing, plays from the weekend.

Two cases, different games, different umpires. The fielder is blocking either 3rd or HP w/o the ball. The runner slows down 10 - 12 feet from the fielder or starts a slide too early to reach the base/plate. One case called OBS, one not.
Without using HTBT, add your own qualifiers if needed, comment on the plays.

Things that may matter, and may differentiate these two...

1) did the runner slow down because the fielder was in the way --- or because the ball was going to beat her (or coach was yelling, "BACK!!!" ... or there was another runner there ... )? 10-12 feet seems a ways away to start slowing due to a fielder - wondering if it wasn't the latter...
2) Define starts a slide too early. One would have to judge that the early slide was BECAUSE of the fielder for this to be obs. Granted - it probably was... but not being there (sorry!), it's possible that it wasn't.