Obstruction question

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Aug 12, 2014
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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?
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
My understanding is same as umpires.

With your understanding if there was obstruction called a runner should never stop running until they were thrown out because they would be safe. Suppose they over ran 3rd and tagged out, what would be the Call? She is safe because she was obstructed by 1st base?
 
Jun 22, 2008
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Based on your description, the umpires were partially correct but mostly incorrect. The runner can select whatever basepath they choose to run the bases, now if it is judged by the umpire the runner went out of their way to run into a defender, then no obstruction should not be called but it is the responsibility of the defense to not obstruct the runner in whatever basepath they choose to run the bases.

As to obstruction itself, no, it does not automatically end at the next base. The rule is the runner may not be put out between the 2 bases where obstructed. The umpire telling you if she had been put out at 2nd she would have been safe because of the obstruction is also not completely accurate. As stated, she cannot be put out between the 2 bases where obstructed, so no she cannot be put out at 2nd, but it does not mean she is necessarily safe at 2nd. At the conclusion of playing action, or when the obstructed runner is put out the umpire should award the base or bases they judge the runner would have reached absent the obstruction. If they judge the runner would not have reached 2nd safely, the runner would be returned to 1st base.

Once obstruction is called, the runner is protected as far as the umpire judges they would have reached absent the obstruction. In your play, if the runner ran into F3 rounding 1st base on a ball hit into the gap and the runner is ultimately thrown out at the plate by 1 step it is completely feasible the impedement by the defense cost the runner that 1 step which would have made her safe at home. The umpire would be justified in awarding the runner home on a play such as that. But, as Quincy said above you should never have your runners run the bases based on the umpire calling obstruction. You have no idea how far they may protect your runner or if they are correctly interpreting the rule such as appear to have happened with your officials.
 
Aug 12, 2014
644
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Thanks Comp. So if I understand you correctly:

1. They still should have called obstruction because the runner has a right to whatever path she runs.

2. If a runner is out after obstruction is called, it's purely up to the judgment of the umpire if she would have been safe absent the obstruction.

We had a similar incident in a game last year where the 3b coach held the runner at third, and the ump told him that he should have sent her because with the obstruction call, she would have automatically been given home if she was thrown out at the plate.
 
Jun 22, 2008
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113
We had a similar incident in a game last year where the 3b coach held the runner at third, and the ump told him that he should have sent her because with the obstruction call, she would have automatically been given home if she was thrown out at the plate.

Another incorrect statement about the obstruction rule. There is nothing automatic about obstruction other than the defense cannot put the runner out between the 2 bases where obstructed. There is one caveat here, the defense can put out the runner between the 2 bases where obstructed if they are playing on a base running violation such as a missed base, leaving early on a caught fly ball etc. But generally speaking, the runner cannot be put out between the 2 bases where obstructed. It is never an automatic base award, the runner is awarded the base the umpire judges they would have reached absent the obstruction. It could be 1 or more bases ahead, it could be the base behind them, it is purely umpire judgement. In the situation you just posted, it doesnt matter if the runner tried to advance or not, if the umpire judged she would have reached home because of the obstruction, even if she didnt try to advance when the play was over the umpire should have awarded her home. There is no requirement for the runner to attempt to advance to be awarded a base or bases.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Help, OP.

Assume runner on 1st is obstructed and lands on 2nd.

Ump can advance her to 3rd or home?

Yes, batter hits a shot in the gap and trips over f3 rounding first base and goes down in a heap injured and a, lays there unable to advance, b, crawls back to 1st base or c, hobbles to 2nd base and stops. In any of these scenarios once the obstructed runner is put out by the defense or play stops the umpire should call time and award whatever bases they judge the runner would have reached absent the obstruction. There is no limit to how far the umpire can award. It also applies to any other runners affected by the obstruction. All runners affected are awarded the base or bases they would have e reached.
 
Mar 15, 2014
191
18
It is very simple.
On obstruction the umpire can play fantasy softball and place the runners anywhere he feels the runners would have reached had there been no obstruction.
It is a judgement call.
 
Mar 1, 2013
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Help, OP.

Assume runner on 1st is obstructed and lands on 2nd.

Ump can advance her to 3rd or home?

You're already had two answers from two seasoned umps. Just for another example, a couple years ago, I was calling a game where a runner was on first, off with the pitch and it was hit to the gap. She rounded 2nd, could have easily scored as she was booking. Shortstop planted in the base path and she put on the brakes and coasted into 3rd. Once the play was done, I called time, and sent her home (among much screaming and complaining from the defensive coaches and parents). They kept giving the "she's got to at least try to score" excuse. Didn't matter. In my judgement, she'd have easily scored and got the benefit of the doubt.
 
Sep 14, 2011
768
18
Glendale, AZ
You're already had two answers from two seasoned umps. Just for another example, a couple years ago, I was calling a game where a runner was on first, off with the pitch and it was hit to the gap. She rounded 2nd, could have easily scored as she was booking. Shortstop planted in the base path and she put on the brakes and coasted into 3rd. Once the play was done, I called time, and sent her home (among much screaming and complaining from the defensive coaches and parents). They kept giving the "she's got to at least try to score" excuse. Didn't matter. In my judgement, she'd have easily scored and got the benefit of the doubt.

This right here is an excellent example of the administration of the rule concerning obstruction.

One way to think about it is that there is no "penalty" for obstruction. The umpire simply judges what would have happened without the obstruction and places the runners accordingly after the play is concluded.
 

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