Obstruction

[UmpireErnie]

Originally Posted by Linknblue

ASA and no one on base. Batter hits a ball to the fence. As the batter-runner rounds 1st they are obstructed. Runner now continues on rounding 2nd and 3rd and heads for home. Close play at home and runner is tagged just before reaching the plate.

Is obstruction still in play? If the runner hadn't been obstructed this would have been and inside the parker. Is obstruction off because the play wasn't at 2nd base?

So the way I'm reading the runner just ran nonstop around the bases while the defense chased down the ball then threw it home? The defense didn't throw the ball anywhere else around the field which may have allowed the batter-runner to advance?

What I'm getting at is that just because there is a close play somewhere after the runner was obstructed does not mean that OBS was still in play. You sold be able to determine where you are protecting the runner prior to the play at home not basing it on how close the play at home is.

[jmkupka]

In the many OBS discussions here, it's always been stressed that the award basically has to be determined at the time of the OBS itself. Fortunately I've never had to project out 3 bases for an award. If this situation (OBS runner full bore around the bases and a bang-bang at the plate) I guess we have to judge whether they were going nonstop due to the gapper to the fence or the OBS.

[Linknblue]

The play was the runner slid into 3rd and ball got away from defense. Both players were tangled up because of the slide and missed ball. Runner got up after struggle with defense and the bumping continued for about 5 to 8 feet between 3rd and home.

Offense argrued obstruction.
Defense argued interference because they were going after the ball.

I ruled obstruction and awarded home because it never stopped and was originally the issue. Was defense going after ball? Yes, but the cluster-tangle seemed mostly about obstructing the runner.....both were trying to get out from each other's way.

[MD Longhorn]

"Going after the ball" is irrelevant. The defense has no right of way at all on anything but a batted ball. There's no "seemed mostly about obstructing...". The defense has NO rights here, and 100% liability for not getting in the way of the runner.

[Linknblue]

That's what I was looking for......defense has no case even if going after ball. Their argument was they were playing on the ball so they had the right and it was interference. While I wasn't sure about it I ruled on what I saw....didn't remember anything in rules about a right to go after a thrown ball, just a batted ball. Thanks guys...