FED Obstruction Definition

[Larry in TN]

Is the phrase "and not in the act of fielding the ball" included in the OBS definition under FED as it is in OBR?
 
Thanks...

[maven]

No. If the fielder is in the baseline without the ball he is liable for OBS.

 

Of course, there are further conditions.

[ALStripes17]

FED requires a fielder to have complete possession of the ball before 'blocking' an offensive player in any way. A fielder in the act of fielding a throw does not exclude them from being called for OBS against a runner. Definition of OBS (including "fielder without possession of ball...") is 2-22.

[Larry in TN]

Thanks...

[catsbackr]

My interpretation has always been that as long as a runner has "access" to a base he doesn't have to have complete "access".

[noumpere]

My interpretation has always been that as long as a runner has "access" to a base he doesn't have to have complete "access".

It's not just your interpretation -- it's also FEDs interpretation.  See case 8-3-2G and 8-3-2L