Obstruction Mechanics question

[jmkupka]

R1 on 1st, takes off on contact. Liner caught by F3, R1 is obstructed by F4 while (futilely) running back to 1st.
While I don't protect her back to 1st, as she wouldn't have gotten back even without OBS, is there an obstruction mechanic used? I'm guessing no, just explain the ruling to the OC when they come out...

[Chess Ref]

Originally Posted by jmkupka

R1 on 1st, takes off on contact. Liner caught by F3, R1 is obstructed by F4 while (futilely) running back to 1st.
While I don't protect her back to 1st, as she wouldn't have gotten back even without OBS, is there an obstruction mechanic used? I'm guessing no, just explain the ruling to the OC when they come out...

I'm thinking 8-4-3b Exception 2 would apply here, in that the runner is protected back to 1B.

But as always your mileage may vary.

[MD Longhorn]

Which ruleset?

If ASA/FED, I would hope your explanation to the offensive coach would be, "I'm sorry, you're correct, let me fix that" and put the runner on first... and then explain the rule to the now irate defensive coach ... but that's just me.

[RKBUmp]

ASA rule supplement 36

"A runner leaving second base too soon on a fly ball is returning after the ball is caught and is obstructed between 2nd and 3rd base. If the runner would not have made it back to 2nd base prior to the ball arriving, the runner remains out."

[bbsbvb83]

Originally Posted by Chess Ref

I'm thinking 8-4-3b Exception 2 would apply here, in that the runner is protected back to 1B.

I read it the same way for NFHS.

[jmkupka]

Originally Posted by Chess Ref

I'm thinking 8-4-3b Exception 2 would apply here, in that the runner is protected back to 1B.

But as always your mileage may vary.

Apologies for not being clear... I mean "runner is off on ball/bat contact, not ball/F3 contact", so ASA rule supplement 36 is what I'm applying here. And since it's a catch-then step-on-base situation, the overthrow scenario isn't likely.

Just wondering, since an explanation will be requested by somebody (OC), do I go through the normal OBS mechanics...

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by jmkupka

Apologies for not being clear... I mean "runner is off on ball/bat contact, not ball/F3 contact", so ASA rule supplement 36 is what I'm applying here. And since it's a catch-then step-on-base situation, the overthrow scenario isn't likely.

Just wondering, since an explanation will be requested by somebody (OC), do I go through the normal OBS mechanics...

You signal it when it happens. Then you rule an out when that happens. Other than that, I'm not entirely sure what you mean by "normal OBS mechanics" other than the DDB signal. But I would do nothing other than the DDB signal and then call the out. You might have to explain, but that would be short one would hope.

[Chess Ref]

Originally Posted by jmkupka

Apologies for not being clear... I mean "runner is off on ball/bat contact, not ball/F3 contact", so ASA rule supplement 36 is what I'm applying here. And since it's a catch-then step-on-base situation, the overthrow scenario isn't likely.

Just wondering, since an explanation will be requested by somebody (OC), do I go through the normal OBS mechanics...

Actually your post is clear. I'm the one living in Nor Cal and all that that implies.

So my understanding is, in ASA if the runner couldn't have made it back we have an out.

In Fed, we can still have OBS, irregardless, if the runner could have made it back?

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Chess Ref

In Fed, we can still have OBS, irregardless, if the runner could have made it back?

I don't think so, based upon this case play out of the FED case book:

8.4.3 SITUATION H: With R1 on second, B2 hits a fly ball that appears will fall in for a hit. However, F8 makes a spectacular catch. R1 is off with the hit, and (a) is obstructed while attempting to advance to third. She then realizes that the catch is made and attempts to return to second base and is tagged out; or (b) is near third when she realizes that the catch is made. As she attempts to return to second base, she is obstructed by F6 and is tagged out. RULING: In (a), R1 is out. She is not protected since the obstruction occurred while she was attempting to advance after leaving a base before a fly ball was first touched. In (b), F6 has committed obstruction. R1 will be awarded the base, in the umpire's judgment, she would have reached had there been no obstruction. (2-36; 5-1-3; 8-4-3b
Penalty a Exception 2)

Seems to me the ruling in (b) would allow for the out if the umpire judges that R1 would not have made it back safely to second base without the obstruction. So I think FED and ASA are in synch here.

[bbsbvb83]

Originally Posted by Manny A

I don't think so, based upon this case play out of the FED case book:

8.4.3 SITUATION H: With R1 on second, B2 hits a fly ball that appears will fall in for a hit. However, F8 makes a spectacular catch. R1 is off with the hit, and (a) is obstructed while attempting to advance to third. She then realizes that the catch is made and attempts to return to second base and is tagged out; or (b) is near third when she realizes that the catch is made. As she attempts to return to second base, she is obstructed by F6 and is tagged out. RULING: In (a), R1 is out. She is not protected since the obstruction occurred while she was attempting to advance after leaving a base before a fly ball was first touched. In (b), F6 has committed obstruction. R1 will be awarded the base, in the umpire's judgment, she would have reached had there been no obstruction. (2-36; 5-1-3; 8-4-3b
Penalty a Exception 2)

Seems to me the ruling in (b) would allow for the out if the umpire judges that R1 would not have made it back safely to second base without the obstruction. So I think FED and ASA are in synch here.

Manny,

I think the wording of the ruling for (b) in this case play is poor. 8-4-3b PENALTY a, EXCEPTION 2 reads as follows:

2. When properly appealed for missing a base or leaving a base before a fly ball was first touched while advancing. If obstruction occurred while a runner was returning to touch the base, she is protected.

The bottom line, as I see it, is this: If the runner is obstructed while advancing to third, she should still be declared out upon proper appeal. If the runner is obstructed while returning to second, she should not be called out upon appeal, and should be awarded a minumum of second base.

As to why the case play (b) ruling states that the umpire should award her the base she would have reached had there been no obstruction, I have to believe the NFHS was attempting to point out that the runner could possibly be awarded a base beyond second, although it is difficult to imagine a situation where it would be appropriate to do so.

[youngump]

Originally Posted by jmkupka

R1 on 1st, takes off on contact. Liner caught by F3, R1 is obstructed by F4 while (futilely) running back to 1st.
While I don't protect her back to 1st, as she wouldn't have gotten back even without OBS, is there an obstruction mechanic used? I'm guessing no, just explain the ruling to the OC when they come out...

Call it, who knows what will happen. Suppose the ball is thrown past first so she does get back and decides to go to second and gets tagged out sliding into the bag. You're not going to want to have to throw your arm out then.

[MD Longhorn]

Craptastic I'm having a reading-challenged day.

Nevermind my statement. Nevermind pretty much anything I've said today, to be honest. I'll crawl back into my hole until my reading comprehension improves.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Craptastic I'm having a reading-challenged day.

Nevermind my statement. Nevermind pretty much anything I've said today, to be honest. I'll crawl back into my hole until my reading comprehension improves.

I'll have what he's been drinking..

[chapmaja]

Originally Posted by jmkupka

R1 on 1st, takes off on contact. Liner caught by F3, R1 is obstructed by F4 while (futilely) running back to 1st.
While I don't protect her back to 1st, as she wouldn't have gotten back even without OBS, is there an obstruction mechanic used? I'm guessing no, just explain the ruling to the OC when they come out...

According to the NFHS casebook, this depends on when the obstruction occurred. If she is obstructed running to second base after leaving 1b early, then the runner would be legally put out.

If the runner is obstructed returning to 1b, then she is protected.