Runner on second base hit up middle rounds third to home. CF comes up throwing. Throw pulls catcher up line. Now I describe this as best I can. Catcher is fielding throw on chalk 3-4 ft up line. Runner does appear to veer towards fence to avoid contact. Catcher fields throw and tags runner on hip while still facing playing area. PU throws arm obstruction. Run scores. He says she must have possession to be in baseline. I say if she can tag her on front side on the play then she's out and legal play IMO. Judgment call so no cane raising but certainly didn't see same as ump. ASA
obstruction on throw
- Thread starter Phathead
- Start date
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I had an almost identical call on a throw to 2nd on a stolen base attempt. Throw pulled the SS into the 2nd base line, tagged runner out about 3 feet from the bag. Ump ruled obstruction. ASA also. Maybe this is an ASA thing? I always figured that if the fielder was making a play on the ball, they had the right to (or as much right as) the basepath as the runner.
Fielder has priority when making a play on a BATTED ball.
On a thrown ball, Runner has priority until Fielder has possession of the ball - and not UNTIL.
But what most umps get wrong is an incidence of Obstruction does not necessarily award the Runner the next base. Its the Umpires judgement if the Runner would have made it to base safely if the Obstruction had not occurred. Important distinction many miss...
This is not just an ASA rule, the obstruction rule is virtually identical throughout all rule sets except NCAA. A defensive player MUST be in possession of the ball, or fielding a batted ball to impede a runner. A defensive player has no rights to a thrown ball and must give way to a runner. In the OP, you say you saw the runner veer out of the basepath because of the catcher being pulled up the line because of the throw. That is the exact definition of obstruction. A defensive player not in possession of the ball or fielding a batted ball that impedes a runner.
- Jun 22, 2008
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Wait a minute! This cannot be since so many people on this site insists that umpires refuse to call OBS without the runner making contact with the defender.
In both cases, as described, the umpires' rulings was correct. The defender has no "rights" when not fielding a batted ball S/he MUST have possession of the ball prior to any impediment or hindrance to the runner occurs. A runner adjusting his/her base path, slowing down to avoid a collision, etc. when the defender causing such action does not have possession of the ball are perfect examples of obstruction.
Well sounds like they got it. While the call maybe right the only problem I had was runner veered or could maybe seen possible play and trying to avoid tag. And catcher got her on hip forward not spinning around to backside on tag. Still judgment call and will abide by it. See nextra post. Couldn't get away from these plays this weekend.
What's the NCAA rule?
NCAA has an about to receive rule. If the fielder is about to receive a thrown ball, they can legally block a base without possession of the ball. About to receive is defined as the ball being closer to the fielder than the runner.
