- Aug 12, 2014
- 644
- 43
In a recent game, we had a batter rip one to RF. as she was rounding first, she had contact with the firstbaseman. She came all the way around and was thrown out at the plate. The umps did not call obstruction (and according to our firstbase coach, that was the correct call - the firstbaseman was out of the way and the runner made a really poor turn), so it was just a theoretical discussion.
The umps said that if obstruction was called, the runner would still have been out because it only applies to the next base (in this case second). According to them, if there is obstruction at first and the runner is out at second, she would be safe, but if she is out at third or home, she is still out. Our understanding is that if the is obstruction at any point, the runner is safe regardless of which base she is thrown out.
What is the correct application?
The umps said that if obstruction was called, the runner would still have been out because it only applies to the next base (in this case second). According to them, if there is obstruction at first and the runner is out at second, she would be safe, but if she is out at third or home, she is still out. Our understanding is that if the is obstruction at any point, the runner is safe regardless of which base she is thrown out.
What is the correct application?