Yet Another OBS situation

[blue bomber]

B1, 0 outs, FED Rules:

Ball into the gap in right field, and B1 gets obstructed just after 2nd base by F6. Ball comes to F5 at third and B1 heads back to 2nd. Safe at 2nd, but B1 is limping pretty bad.

That's an easy one. Everybody knows B1 gets awarded third once you call the dead ball. That's not it though:

When F5 throws up to second it gets past F6 AND F4, and B1 limps down to third.

You can finally kill it. Do you ignore the obstruction since B1 achieved 3rd or do you send him home?

[strike3scott]

Why did I finally kill it? Did they call time because of injury? Otherwise,

I would say you ignore the obstruction because he now has achieved the base he would have been awarded. You cannot score him because of an errant throw.

[blue bomber]

Why did I finally kill it? Did they call time because of injury? Otherwise,

I would say you ignore the obstruction because he now has achieved the base he would have been awarded. You cannot score him because of an errant throw.

Yeah, the coach wanted time for his player, and also the UIC in this situation also wanted to call time for the the delayed dead ball and awarded home to the runner. I'm not saying it was right, but he gave the runner home. That is why I wanted some input.

I was under the impression that if the baserunner achieved the base he would have in the first place without getting out, obstruction was ignored. UICs argument was that "in high school rules" there is an award or penalty for everything. So he says that no matter what happens the runner is going to get a base. I'm not so sure that's how I read it. It may also be a matter of umpire judgment...Would he have achieved home if obstruction didn't happen?

[strike3scott]

You are right. If the runner achieves the base he would have had there been no obstruction, then you ignore it. You can't score someone just to make sure you punish the defense. It sounds like you are on the right track. Good post.

[mepperson]

B1 can be awarded Home, though, even with the errant throw if, in the judgment of the umpire, he would have had a chance at Home based on the play that occurred, had the Obstruction not occurred. The rule states that the runner is awarded at least the base to which he was running when the obstruction occurred; if the runner could have gotten to a subsequent base, as well, without the obstruction, then the runner can be awarded that base, as well.

Based on the information provided, I'm not prepared to "judge" the award given by the UIC. The description does not state that the runner would have only gotten to 3rd based on the play as it unfolded; so, there is the possibility that the UIC did correctly, and not just to penalize the defense.

[semperfiguy]

I got no OBS because the runner reached third without being retired. Again had he been out then you could award third base. Here In Mass. we only use OBR not FED but the intet of the rule is the same.

[littleleagueump]

B1, 0 outs, FED Rules:

Ball into the gap in right field, and B1 gets obstructed just after 2nd base by F6. Ball comes to F5 at third and B1 heads back to 2nd. Safe at 2nd, but B1 is limping pretty bad.

That's an easy one. Everybody knows B1 gets awarded third once you call the dead ball. That's not it though:

When F5 throws up to second it gets past F6 AND F4, and B1 limps down to third.

You can finally kill it. Do you ignore the obstruction since B1 achieved 3rd or do you send him home?

Your intentions were to give him third. He doesn't get more bases because he clearly made the base you were about to award him too. When obstruction occurs, the runners gets the next base beyond the last touched base unless the obstruction knocked the runner down long enough that you thought he might have gotten even further.

That last sentence may not sound justified but I hope it make sence.