Scorekeeping Question

[SamG]

I'm not an official or a scorekeeper, but wouldn't an obstruction be treated the same as an error and therefore counted as at bat? The official who called obstruction determined the B/R would have reached first if not for obs, right?

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by SamG

... The official who called obstruction determined the B/R would have reached first if not for obs, right?

Not necessarily. This is simply a base award by rule.

[SamG]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Not necessarily. This is simply a base award by rule.

Do you mind giving me an example? I was picturing the catcher somehow physically preventing/slowing down the B/R, which resulted in the obs call.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by SamG

Do you mind giving me an example? I was picturing the catcher somehow physically preventing/slowing down the B/R, which resulted in the obs call.

Catcher’s obstruction is the act of a catcher that hinders or prevents the
batter from striking at or hitting a pitched ball. If the batter reaches First
Base safely and all runners advance at least one base the obstruction is
cancelled. All action as a result of the batted ball stands. No option is given.
Once a runner has passed a base the runner is considered to have reached
that base. If all runners, including the batter runner do not advance at least
one base, the manager has the option of taking the result of the play, or
enforcing obstruction by awarding the batter First Base and advancing all
runners if forced. -- ASA Umpire Manual

[SamG]

Originally Posted by Dakota

Catcher’s obstruction is the act of a catcher that hinders or prevents the
batter from striking at or hitting a pitched ball. If the batter reaches First
Base safely and all runners advance at least one base the obstruction is
cancelled. All action as a result of the batted ball stands. No option is given.
Once a runner has passed a base the runner is considered to have reached
that base. If all runners, including the batter runner do not advance at least
one base, the manager has the option of taking the result of the play, or
enforcing obstruction by awarding the batter First Base and advancing all
runners if forced. -- ASA Umpire Manual

Ah. Thank you. For some reason, my mind jumped to a point AFTER the batter hit the ball.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by SamG

I'm not an official or a scorekeeper, but wouldn't an obstruction be treated the same as an error and therefore counted as at bat? The official who called obstruction determined the B/R would have reached first if not for obs, right?

Regular obstruction would be treated like a hit (both a H and an AB). Catcher's obstruction in baseball is a plate appearance but not an at bat. ASA's book seems to forget it's existence in the scoring section.

[Jake26]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

Catcher's obstruction in baseball is a plate appearance but not an at bat.

Additionally, the catcher is charged with an error. I am thinking of a tipped bat by the catcher.