Obstruction

[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?

I've tried to understand the rule as written and it isn't clear in my old and worn out brain.

Thanks

[RKBUmp]

You already answered your own question. You said absent the obstruction it would have been a parker. The obstruction rule states at the conclusion of play you award the base or bases the runner would have reached absent the obstruction.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

You already answered your own question. You said absent the obstruction it would have been a parker. The obstruction rule states at the conclusion of play you award the base or bases the runner would have reached absent the obstruction.

I agree with your conclusion, but after you call the R out, then call time and award R Home, I am sure that you will be ejecting the Defensive HC shortly thereafter, LOL!

MTD, Sr.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

I agree with your conclusion, but after you call the R out, then call time and award R Home, I am sure that you will be ejecting the Defensive HC shortly thereafter, LOL!

MTD, Sr.

Almost correct.

You do NOT call the R out. The approved ruling and mechanic is to NOT call the out if you will then need to reverse that out. According to RS #36, Call "Dead Ball" (not time, that is baseball) if/when the obstructed runner is apparently out before reaching the base you judge she would have reached, and award the appropriate base (the one she would have reached, in your judgement, had she not been obstructed).

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

Almost correct.

You do NOT call the R out. The approved ruling and mechanic is to NOT call the out if you will then need to reverse that out. According to RS #36, Call "Dead Ball" (not time, that is baseball) if/when the obstructed runner is apparently out before reaching the base you judge she would have reached, and award the appropriate base (the one she would have reached, in your judgement, had she not been obstructed).

This only works if the umpire who called the obstruction and knows the award base he's going to give is also the umpire who calls the runner out. In the OP, those would have been 2 different umpires. PU would not know BU's award judgement was home. If there was another runner on, PU might not even know there was obstruction at first.

[Andy]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

..... In the OP, those would have been 2 different umpires......

Where did anybody say they were in a two umpire system????

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

You do NOT call the R out. The approved ruling and mechanic is to NOT call the out if you will then need to reverse that out. According to RS #36, Call "Dead Ball" (not time, that is baseball) if/when the obstructed runner is apparently out before reaching the base you judge she would have reached, and award the appropriate base (the one she would have reached, in your judgement, had she not been obstructed).

1) Please confirm that is also correct for NFHS.
2) If other runners, is it last base touched or the "half-way rule" on the dead ball?
3) How do we avoid penalizing the defense with the dead ball, if they could get another out?

[Andy]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

1) Please confirm that is also correct for NFHS.
2) If other runners, is it last base touched or the "half-way rule" on the dead ball?
3) How do we avoid penalizing the defense with the dead ball, if they could get another out?

I'm not Steve, but I will share my thoughts....

1. Not sure on the NFHS guideline, but I have always handled it the same as ASA.

2. It is the Umpire's judgement. Benefit of the doubt goes to the offense.

3. The DEFENSE committed the violation by Obstructing the runner in the first place. If Why should they benefit by being allowed to get additional outs?

[IRISHMAFIA]

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?

I've tried to understand the rule as written and it isn't clear in my old and worn out brain.

Thanks

Now for the correct answer

If you were not the umpire who ruled the OBS, you call the play that unfolds in front of you. If the runner was out, you call the out. At that point, the ball is dead and you and your partner talk and apply any ruling necessary. Do NOT assume you know your partner's call.

If you were the umpire who ruled the OBS and the runner had not reached the base to which s/he was protected, call "dead ball", announce the violation and award.

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Now for the correct answer

If you were the umpire who ruled the OBS, you call the play that unfolds in front of you...

In the first example, I'm assuming that you mean, "If you were NOT the umpire who ruled OBS".

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by BretMan

In the first example, I'm assuming that you mean, "If you were NOT the umpire who ruled OBS".

Yes, thank you for the proof read

[jmkupka]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Now for the correct answer

If you were not the umpire who ruled the OBS, you call the play that unfolds in front of you. If the runner was out, you call the out. At that point, the ball is dead and you and your partner talk and apply any ruling necessary. Do NOT assume you know your partner's call.

If you were the umpire who ruled the OBS and the runner had not reached the base to which s/he was protected, call "dead ball", announce the violation and award.

So, in your 1st scenario, there will be 2 calls. After PU calls "out" at the plate, BU (probably in shallow C position after following the sole runner around) immediately calls "dead ball". Does he call his partner together to discuss what he has, or make a general announcement, "I have her obstructed rounding 1st, and protected to home"

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by jmkupka

So, in your 1st scenario, there will be 2 calls. After PU calls "out" at the plate, BU (probably in shallow C position after following the sole runner around) immediately calls "dead ball". Does he call his partner together to discuss what he has, or make a general announcement, "I have her obstructed rounding 1st, and protected to home"

Both, but I never "have" anything. "Obstruction, (insert some indication of whom caused the OBS), runner awarded ......"

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Both, but I never "have" anything.

Thank you!

[Linknblue]

Here's a play I had last night...

ASA Slowpitch. Hit to OF and runners are moving on hit. Trail runner going into 3rd on close tag play. Defense is at bag waiting for throw. I don't have obstruction cuz they aren't in front of bag. Runner slides and defense misses ball and a cluster scramble at base with both players being momentarily tangled up.

Runner sees ball is not caught and tries to get up but defense is hindering that effort. I've now got obstruction. Play continues with a continuous obstruction and the runner eventually get up and is heading for home with defense still contacting him for about 3 feet. Defense, while still tangled up in the obstruction, is going after ball now but trying to go thru runner so they are now bumping each other for another 4 or 5 feet past 3rd....each of them trying to get free of the other.

Any thoughts?