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TOPIC: Obstruction at first |
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| Donald
May 13, 2016
1:18:53 PM
Entry #: 4197567
| First baseman has to jump slightly to catch the ball coming from the shortstop. Foot comes down half on the white base and half on the orange base. Runner is 1 - 2 steps from first as fielder comes down with the ball. Runner never slowed or changed path and collides with first baseman knocking her down. Umpire calls obstruction and says her foot was on the orange base the whole play.
If this didn't seem to impact the path or speed of the runner, Is this obstruction?
Does it matter if the 1B foot is on the safety base prior to the runner arriving?
Does the runner have to attempt to avoid the collision?
Thanks
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| Mike D.
May 26, 2016
3:58:35 PM
Entry #: 4198584
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the runner has the right to the base path and on the play you described, The orange bag is only for the batter runner, so she has the right to go full throttle to beat what you describe as a close play. You can not penalize the runner for a poor throw by a fielder. The umpire should have had out his arm signaling a delayed dead ball. If the throw beat the runner, the obstruction would have come into play, but you stated the Umpire said the entire foot was on the orange, so it was clearly not an out in his judgement so the obstruction goes away.
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| Hank
May 29, 2016
10:33:49 PM
Entry #: 4198782
| If I read this play correctly the errant throw pulled the defense off the white portion of the base into foul ground (part of orange base).
ASA section 2 N 5 - On a errant throw pulling the defense off the white portion of base into foul ground, the defense and the batter-runner can use either the white or contrasting bag.
Fielder correct in touching either base.
Obstruction definition - the act of a defensive member who impedes the progress of a runner or batter runner who is legally running the base unless the fielder ( in this scenario )in possession of ball.
No obstruction because fielder was correct in using either base because of errant high throw AND had possession of ball.
Runner has to try not to not collide while standing up if possible. As this was a close play err with runner not being able to avoid a collision- no interference on batter-runner if a possible play on another runner.
If players hurt - stop play immediately and put or advance runners using your judgement of where would have been if no collision.
This play is what some seasoned officials would call " a train wreck ".
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