Obstruction in rundown (NFHS)

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Jun 20, 2012
438
18
SoCal
HS varsity game using NFHS

R1 on 3B leads off as F1 delivers a pitch. F2 throws to F5 and a rundown ensues. The ball goes back and forth between F2 and F5 and F6 several times and in one instance, R1 is obstructed by F5 while she is running towards 3B and F2 was about to throw to F6 near 3B. BU signals the obstruction. F6 receives the throw and R1 changes direction back towards home and a few more throws are made, with R1 changing direction about 2 or 3 more times. She is finally tagged out while heading towards home. BU is asked about the obstruction call he had made during the rundown and he explained that the obstruction would only apply had she been tagged out while heading towards 3B, but since she was tagged out heading home, the obstruction doesn't apply.

My understanding has always been that a runner cannot be called out between the two bases she was obstructed, absent one of the exceptions (properly appealed for missing a base or leaving early on caught fly ball, passing another runner, committing interference after the obstruction, or after reaching the base she would have reached absent the obstruction and a subsequent play is made on another runner). My experience is mostly ASA/USA, so I'm wondering if this is one of those weird differences between USA and NFHS.
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
Very interesting situation...we will see what the experts say.

The governing rule is usually you award the base that the runner rightfully would have advanced to if the obstruction had not occurred...in this instance that seems like 3B so she could advance to home on her own but she could not be awarded home it does seem however that without the obstruction she would have made it safely to 3B. The only thing I'm unsure about are the intervening or subsequent actions after a few times back and forth does the obstruction become irrelevant I don't think so...still seems like awarding 3B is the correct call. Otherwise it seems like you penalize the runner because she does not know an obstruction call is coming...the goal should be to punish the defense for obstruction

Imagine she was going to 3B from 2B and was obstructed seeing that she was going to be out at 3B now she runs back to 2B and is put out, I'm pretty sure she gets awarded 3B. The weird thing here is she is not advancing forward but backwards.

P.S. not an expert over a decade since I was an umpire so I'll leave it to the professionals for the "real" verdict.
 
Last edited:

2br02b

Trabant swing
Jul 25, 2017
303
43
Interesting - she was granted 3rd (on her way back), but then initiated a new play (and a reset) when she changed direction. I see the rationale, but don't know if it is correct...
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
I agree with the umpire...obstruction would only guarantee the base the runner would have received if there hadn't been obstruction. It's not a free for all after the obstruction occurs.

As I recall from ASA this rule is no different than NFHS.
 

Strike2

Allergic to BS
Nov 14, 2014
2,044
113
I've seen similar plays called the same way. Although the player may not be able to see the delayed dead ball signal, it comes down to being aware on the basepaths, and the player understanding what obstruction is. If you're obstructed, keep going in that direction. Last year, we had a runner obstructed by F3 while rounding 1B on a ball hit to the OF. It was nothing more than a shoulder rub, but the umpire saw it. The player saw the delayed dead ball signal, and just jogged down to 2B and was, of course, called safe. The other team lit into the umpire but the play stood. The dugout got a very firm "did you ALL see that alert piece of baserunning" callout from me.
 
Jun 20, 2012
438
18
SoCal
I agree with the umpire...obstruction would only guarantee the base the runner would have received if there hadn't been obstruction. It's not a free for all after the obstruction occurs.

As I recall from ASA this rule is no different than NFHS.

But she didn't even get third (which was what I thought the award should've been). She was called out, period.
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
But she didn't even get third (which was what I thought the award should've been). She was called out, period.

She didn't go to third from what you said (she was tagged out at home). Had she ran directly to third she would have been safe (regardless).

Otherwise you are saying she is safe at third no matter what happens and she can also try to score because what the hell she is safe at third anyways. That's not how obstruction works.
 
Jun 20, 2012
438
18
SoCal
The part that I'm getting hung up on is the part of the rule that states that the batter cannot be called out between the 2 bases where she was obstructed, unless one of those exceptions I previously described occurs. How does calling her out for "changing directions" jibe with that part of the rule?
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
I just continue to be amazed by the crap supposed umpires come up with. There are a few minor differences in the obstruction rule between nfhs and usa, but none that would apply in this situation.

The rule is very clear, once a runner is obstructed they may not be put out between the 2 bases where obstructed. Again, there are some exceptions but none apply in the play presented. There is nothing in the rule about the runner is only protected in the direction she was headed at the time she was obstructed. It is very simple, once obstructed the runner cannot be out between those 2 bases. Once the play is over or the runner is put out the umpires are to place the obstructed runner and any other runners affected by the obstruction the base or bases they would have reached absent the obstruction.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
She didn't go to third from what you said (she was tagged out at home). Had she ran directly to third she would have been safe (regardless).

Otherwise you are saying she is safe at third no matter what happens and she can also try to score because what the hell she is safe at third anyways. That's not how obstruction works.

It is how obstruction works in the sense that an obstructed runner cannot be put out between the 2 bases where obstructed. Once the obstruction is called, the runner can do just about anything they want with the exceptions that have been listed and the worst that is going to happen is they get put back at the previous base. Attempting to score once the obstruction has been called is exactly what the runner should do, they have nothing to lose.
 

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