Obstruction at First Base: Where's the Protection?

[AtlUmpSteve]

While some of the prior responses spoke in absolutes, it is important to remember that the obstruction rule includes two forms of protection that are BOTH in effect, not mutually exclusive.

First, the runner is always protected to the base the umpire believes would have been attained if not obstructed. In this play, you need to give the runner the benefit of any reasonable chance she would have made 2nd on the original play; if so, if put out before reaching it, it should be awarded.

The second form of protection is the "between the two bases" format, and while it has some notable exclusions, it doesn't override or limit the first form. But, if you believe the runner would have never safely reached 2nd, you need to also give the runner the benefit of reasonable protection. If a runner is knocked over right in front of a base and falls beyond that base, it isn't at all unreasonable to consider the possibility that the runner may have been able to make a turn, and that the collision did and obviously affected her ability to run between first and second, be it safely or at risk. This form does NOT require you to conclude she would be safe; just that her ability to run unhindered has been taken away illegally.

In the first form, the runner would be safe at second, and in the second form, can legally be returned safely to first base. The effort by the coach to push her to take the chance at second shouldn't be used (nor does the rule allow) to take away her protection.