- May 29, 2015
- 3,810
- 113
I agree ... but I couldn’t call her out because of the obstruction.
Guys, I am impressed ... or disappointed.
Nobody wants to make the argument for second base? I had three umpires in the “locker room” (air quotes, of course) adamant that she should get “the base she was headed to during the obstruction.”
No coaches or parents here want to plead that case?
Surprisingly, the offense did not try to make the argument for second base either. Not sure if the coaches were up to speed on the rule or if they were just satisfied that she wasn’t out. I really expected them to come out and try to get second base out of it.
Anyway ... You all nailed it. Obstruction (in USA Softball) is NOT an award of bases. It is protection from being called out between the bases where the obstruction occurred. The umpire then has the discretion to place the runner.
To me, since she was dancing and juking to draw the throw, I think the only way she would have made it to second is with an errant throw. Since she was obstructed though, she now could not be called out between first and second base (on that play of course).
Now, had she flat out broke for second on a steal attempt, I would view it differently.
It seems to me like once the rundown started the only way she was getting out of it, to either 2nd base or back to 1st, was on an errant throw or dropped catch, so I don't understand the reason for putting her at 1st.
but in my experience, in most rundown/pickle scenarios if the fielders are doing even a half decent job of being in position, the runner normally ends up back on her original base unless the obstruction is basically stopping the runner from getting to the base.
She was banking on an errant throw to occur.