Missed Obstruction Call

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Jun 22, 2008
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Also, keep in mind, that even when obstruction is called, it's a total judgement call on what the award is and there is no award unless the runner gets thrown out at some point.

The highlighted statement is not true. The runner does not have to be put out after being obstructed to be awarded bases. At the conclusion of play, the umpire is to award the runner and any other runner affected by the obstruction the base or bases they would have reached absent the obstruction. Example, fastest player on the team hits a ball into the gap. Easily a triple for the runner based on her speed, could even be an in the park home run, but as she is rounding 1st she runs into F3 and is knocked down and injured but crawls back to 1st base. Once the ball is back in the circle, the umpire should call time and award the obstructed runner the base or bases the umpire judges they would have reached if not obstructed. As indicated, based on the runners speed, that could be either 3rd or home.

Another example of other runners being affected. Runner on 1st, same basic scenario but runner from 1st runs into F6 as they are rounding 2nd and is knocked down and hurt but crawls back to 2nd. Batter/runner seeing lead runner knocked down stops and retreats back to 1st. At conclusion of play, the umpire should award both runners the bases they judge they would have reached if not for the obstruction.
 
Jun 1, 2015
500
43
and this is the problem. the suggestion that IF contact is made you will make a determination. Unfortunately this is the default for 90%+ of umpire out there. The default is contact has to be made...as the umpire you are supposed to make the judgement REGARDLESS of contact.

I was saying this as a coach - the girls just can't run and "bump into" a fielder and automatically expect the base based on obstruction (as in she can't pull a LeBron James-esque flop and expect the umpire to see it was contact). It has to be obvious enough that she clearly had the base path, the fielder came into it and blocked her way, and contact was made that prevented her from reaching the next base. I'm lucky that, as a coach, I have trained my defense to stay out of the base path unless a.) Fielding a ball or b.) Making a play WITH the ball. Otherwise, "runner rules" as I say. We've been fortunate to have a couple of interference calls go our way (with a little bargaining too on my part) because of staying this stingy.
 
Feb 12, 2014
648
43
The highlighted statement is not true. The runner does not have to be put out after being obstructed to be awarded bases. At the conclusion of play, the umpire is to award the runner and any other runner affected by the obstruction the base or bases they would have reached absent the obstruction. Example, fastest player on the team hits a ball into the gap. Easily a triple for the runner based on her speed, could even be an in the park home run, but as she is rounding 1st she runs into F3 and is knocked down and injured but crawls back to 1st base. Once the ball is back in the circle, the umpire should call time and award the obstructed runner the base or bases the umpire judges they would have reached if not obstructed. As indicated, based on the runners speed, that could be either 3rd or home.

Another example of other runners being affected. Runner on 1st, same basic scenario but runner from 1st runs into F6 as they are rounding 2nd and is knocked down and hurt but crawls back to 2nd. Batter/runner seeing lead runner knocked down stops and retreats back to 1st. At conclusion of play, the umpire should award both runners the bases they judge they would have reached if not for the obstruction.

Comp is absolutely correct. That is my bad. I guess what I should say is that, in my experience, I've never seen an umpire award bases unless the runner was put out. Umpires are hesitant to "guess" where a runner may have ended up without the runner pushing the issue.
 
Feb 16, 2015
933
43
South East
The highlighted statement is not true. The runner does not have to be put out after being obstructed to be awarded bases. At the conclusion of play, the umpire is to award the runner and any other runner affected by the obstruction the base or bases they would have reached absent the obstruction. Example, fastest player on the team hits a ball into the gap. Easily a triple for the runner based on her speed, could even be an in the park home run, but as she is rounding 1st she runs into F3 and is knocked down and injured but crawls back to 1st base. Once the ball is back in the circle, the umpire should call time and award the obstructed runner the base or bases the umpire judges they would have reached if not obstructed. As indicated, based on the runners speed, that could be either 3rd or home.

Another example of other runners being affected. Runner on 1st, same basic scenario but runner from 1st runs into F6 as they are rounding 2nd and is knocked down and hurt but crawls back to 2nd. Batter/runner seeing lead runner knocked down stops and retreats back to 1st. At conclusion of play, the umpire should award both runners the bases they judge they would have reached if not for the obstruction.


I have never seen an umpire award a base for obstruction After the conclusion of the play. What happens is that the Field judge will give the signal for obstruction but will not say anything it is up to the coach or the runner to pick up on it and take the advanced base before the ball gets back to the circle or you just missed out on gaining another base. Have the umpires been doing it wrong or am I confused with a different call?
 
Feb 16, 2015
933
43
South East
What if the second baseman is the one attempting to receive the throw? Would obstruction still apply if the fielder gets into the baseline to reach the bag?
 
Apr 17, 2012
806
18
Wi
What if the second baseman is the one attempting to receive the throw? Would obstruction still apply if the fielder gets into the baseline to reach the bag?

A fielder is only protected from obs if they are in possession of or fielding a batted ball
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
I have never seen an umpire award a base for obstruction After the conclusion of the play. What happens is that the Field judge will give the signal for obstruction but will not say anything it is up to the coach or the runner to pick up on it and take the advanced base before the ball gets back to the circle or you just missed out on gaining another base. Have the umpires been doing it wrong or am I confused with a different call?

Obstruction is never an automatic award, just because an umpire signals it does not mean there is going to be any award. If you see an umpire call obstruction and feel you player would have advanced if not for the obstruction but they did not attempt to advance after being obstructed you need to call time and discuss it with the umpire. There is no requirement for the runner to attempt to advance, the umpire should make the award they judge regardless.
 

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