OBS at the plate

[maven]

Johnny posted this video in the Collegiate section, but it's also worth discussing for FED, which has a different OBS rule.

 

[ElkOil]

OBS.

 

Somehow, I know I'll be wrong, but that's what I'm going with.  

[BillKen]

In FED, that is OBS...score the run.

[Tksjewelry]

I'd have obstruction. This is very similar to a play I saw the other day. Not one I had but one on a friend's field. Bases loaded, outs I didn't know, but I'll assume one. Batter bunts, pitcher snags it, tosses it to F2 who touches the plate then whips the ball to third. F5 is standing about two feet diagonal from his bag getting ready to field his ball (which was a poor throw) when he suddenly springs into mountain climber position blocking the path to the bag and tripping the runner.

[Kevin_K]

Rule 2-22-3 says it is obstruction when a fielder without possession of the ball denies access to the base the runner is attempting to achieve.

 

There are other instances aside from home where FED has had clarifications and/or case plays that further clarify the rule.

 

For example, when F1 attempts to pick-off a runner at 1B, F3 cannot entirely block access to 1B or it is obstruction on F3. F3 can block access to some part of the base while positioned to make a tag of the runner diving back into the bag. Most of the current case plays refer to when fielders block or completely block access to a base, but this play seems different in that F2 moved into the baseline while fielding the ball and while access was not completely denied, the runner's path to HP was obstructed. 

 

In the video above, I would likely rule obstruction because F2 deliberately denied the runner access to HP when he moved his left foot into the runners baseline.

 

I think it would be a hard sell to OHC that his runner was not obstructed.

[catsbackr]

Something comes to mind about the defensive player having to allow access to the base, but not TOTAL access.

[johnnyg08]

Something comes to mind about the defensive player having to allow access to the base, but not TOTAL access.

 

Access...it doesn't even have to be the access that is most advantageous to the offense either.  Having to slide between the legs is not considered access either.

[ricka56]

 

Something comes to mind about the defensive player having to allow access to the base, but not TOTAL access.

 

Access...it doesn't even have to be the access that is most advantageous to the offense either.  Having to slide between the legs is not considered access either.

I have heard this said and I don't understand what it means. Before F2 took his left foot and stomped R3's wrist, had he provided enough access to the runner, or did his position (pre-gloving of the ball) deny R3 access to HP. I know how I would rule, but I can see a compelling argument being made for the opposite view of mine (shocking, I know).

 

I think that the Fed obstruction rule is too open for widely varying interpretation of what access denial means. The NCAA does a great job of using video to clarify their rules. As previously lamented, I wish the NFHS would use video to clarify their rules as well.

[Welpe]

Even without the extra jab step the F2 takes, I believe he has denied access to the base without the ball. Put me down for OBS in Fed.

[RingEmUp]

This is similar to a play I had last week.  JV solo, 1 out, R3 tags and F2 takes throw from F8 a little up the 3rd base line and R3 slides into F2s leg as F2 catches the ball.  F2 applies tag and I get an out.  F2s left foot is on the chalk line, R3 starts slide way too early IMHO and would have been safe had he kept running.  I didn't feel this was OBS, HTHC felt otherwise and we had a chat about it.  I didn't change my mind or lose sleep over this call..

 

OBS in the video.

[Welpe]

This is similar to a play I had last week.  JV solo, 1 out, R3 tags and F2 takes throw from F8 a little up the 3rd base line and R3 slides into F2s leg as F2 catches the ball.  F2 applies tag and I get an out.  F2s left foot is on the chalk line, R3 starts slide way too early IMHO and would have been safe had he kept running.  I didn't feel this was OBS, HTHC felt otherwise and we had a chat about it.  I didn't change my mind or lose sleep over this call..

 

OBS in the video.

 

Do you think the runner slid because the F2 was blocking the plate? I didn't see it of course but that sounds like OBS to me.

[RingEmUp]

 

This is similar to a play I had last week.  JV solo, 1 out, R3 tags and F2 takes throw from F8 a little up the 3rd base line and R3 slides into F2s leg as F2 catches the ball.  F2 applies tag and I get an out.  F2s left foot is on the chalk line, R3 starts slide way too early IMHO and would have been safe had he kept running.  I didn't feel this was OBS, HTHC felt otherwise and we had a chat about it.  I didn't change my mind or lose sleep over this call..

 

OBS in the video.

 

Do you think the runner slid because the F2 was blocking the plate? I didn't see it of course but that sounds like OBS to me.

 

 

F2 was not even close to the plate, just up the line because of the throw.  I probably could have called OBS but I really felt the catcher wasn't blocking the base path just up the line about 6 feet or so.  Once again this was a solo game so first I had to see the catch by F8, then the tag by R3, then find the ball and then see where the play is at.