LC Ump

Yes, I can see how this could have quickly become obstruction instead of nothing. Fortunately F4 stopped, R1 passed by him without incident and was safe at 2b without a throw. Again, thanks for thinking this through for me and giving me the benefit of your experience. Will make me better the next time one of these unfolds, as I'm sure one will!

No video to share but I think both Maven and noumpere have this pretty much as it unfolded. R1 definitely stopped to let the ball pass and began toward 2b only when it had. F4 arrived as the ball passed R1 and started to run again, all of which was the result of route to the ball that was late and into the path of R1. Which is why the BU ruled (and I as PU agreed) it was nothing R1 didn't hinder F4 as much as F4 botched his attempt to field the ball. Thanks for all of the great feedback/info. A huge help to a new umpire with rules interpretation and learning to apply sound judgement.

Agree...and the rule certainly seems to privilege the fielder, even if R1 did exactly what he needed to do and F4's being slow and awkward in fielding the ball led to his being hindered.

It was an 11/12 LL all star scrimmage. I was on board with the BU's "nothing" call for the reasons you say - R1 didn't hinder or impede F4 as much as F4's attempt to field the ball was slow and poorly executed. He likely would have missed the ball anyway. Thanks for the help thinking this through.

RI stopped to avoid being hit by the batted ball. F4 stopped because he saw R1...although it would be fair to say F4 was late to the party, the ball was by R1 and F4's angle to it made the chance of fielding it cleanly unlikely. Agree that it would be a lot easier to judge if you were able to see it. I guess what I'm asking is whether all of this (R1's stopping, the ball being by him, F4's route to the ball being off course and late) doesn't matter and only the matter of "hindered or impeded" does.

R1 and R2, one out. Batted ball grounded about a third of the way between 1b and 2b. R1 stops to avoid being hit by the ball, then restarts toward 2b. F4 arrives to field the batted ball as R1 restarts, stops, and allows the ball go into RF. The ball was clearly past R1 by the time F4. No contact occurred. The defense claims interference. BU rules it's nothing. Wondering how those here would see this.