Obstruction at 1st Base

[bsnalex]

It almost sounds like a no-brainer, depending on the circumstances. Did F3 attempt to get off the base after she tripped?

Where was the runner (how close to first) when she stopped running? If I was the runner I would always complete the play and keep trundling through. If I had to leap over the baseman then so be it.

If the basemen made an effor to get herself off the bag, then I wouldn't call obstruction.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by bsnalex

It almost sounds like a no-brainer, depending on the circumstances. Did F3 attempt to get off the base after she tripped?

Where was the runner (how close to first) when she stopped running? If I was the runner I would always complete the play and keep trundling through. If I had to leap over the baseman then so be it.

If the basemen made an effor to get herself off the bag, then I wouldn't call obstruction.

OBS is OBS no matter what effort a defender does or does not make to avoid it.

Also, it becomes a touchy situation when a runner goes right over the base since a missed base appeal is one of the exceptions to the protection provided an OBS runner.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by bsnalex

...If the basemen made an effor to get herself off the bag, ...

Irrelevant.

The only relevant questions are:
1. Was the defender still attempting to field the batted ball, and
2. If not, was the runner impeded.

It doesn't matter whether the defender "meant" to impede the runner; it doesn't matter whether the defender was "trying to avoid" impeding the runner; it only matters whether the defender DID impede the runner.