Fake Tag/Foul Ball

[MPLSMatt]

FED Rules. R1 attempts steal of 2nd base. B2 fouls off the pitch, out of play over 3b dugout. As R1 is approaching 2nd, R2 simmulates catching the ball and executes a fake tag. What do you have?

I'm thinking you send R1 back to 1b, give the prescribed warning to DC that any subsequent fake tags will result an ejection. I would argue that you can't call obstruction because a ball is dead due to the foul out of play, but I could hear an argument that you should. Does it change if the ball is ripped foul to deep left and doesn't land in foul territory until after the fake tag?

[UmpJM]

Matt,

Obstruction cannot occur while the ball is not in play.

Unsportsmanlike conduct certainly can. The warning on the fake tag is certainly appropriate.

Send the runner back regardless of what "kind" of foul ball it is.

JM

[MPLSMatt]

Thanks, JM. My partner and I both agreed on this but just thought it was an interesting situation.