Is this Obstruction at First Base?

[Guest Dave O'Connor]

A ground ball is hit to the first baseman who bobbles the ball while attempting to get to first base for the put out.  As the runner is nearing first base, the first baseman dives toward the base and lands in front of the bag, forcing the runner to jump over him to reach the back side of the bag.  The first baseman tags the bag before the runner touched the base.  There was no intent on the first baseman to block the bag.  (10-11 year old minors division)

[noumpere]

Not OBS.

 

It's (almost) impossible for a player with the ball to commit OBS.

[MPLSMatt]

Need more info.  If F3 has the ball before making the dive, then there's no obstruction.  If he doesn't have it or is in the process of going to get it and causes the runner to hurdle, go around or slow down, than yes, I can see obstruction out of that. 

 

 

 

 

[Replacematt]

Need more info.  If F3 has the ball before making the dive, then there's no obstruction.  If he doesn't have it or is in the process of going to get it and causes the runner to hurdle, go around or slow down, than yes, I can see obstruction out of that. 

 

 

 

 

I think that because a tag was made, it's a pretty safe bet that he had the ball.

[sthomas13100]

If first baseman has the ball, no obstruction.  As described with the runner jumping over the fielder attempting a tag the runner, I am calling him out for that action alone under Fed and USSSA rules for youth/school baseball. 

[maven]

If first baseman has the ball, no obstruction.  As described with the runner jumping over the fielder attempting a tag the runner, I am calling him out for that action alone under Fed and USSSA rules for youth/school baseball. 

Jumping over a fielder is illegal UNLESS the fielder is lying on the ground.

F3 dove for the base, not the runner, and as I read the case he's on the ground when he tags the base. Might not want to apply the jumping provision here.

[Mike Walsh]

Not OBS.

It's (almost) impossible for a player with the ball to commit OBS.

Why almost? Are you referring to a fielder who does not have the ball, obstructs, and then gains possession? If so, I understand. If not, can you provide an example of a fielder who has the ball but still obstructs? Thanks.

Mike

[Rich Ives]

Why almost? Are you referring to a fielder who does not have the ball, obstructs, and then gains possession? If so, I understand. If not, can you provide an example of a fielder who has the ball but still obstructs? Thanks.

Mike

Fielder has the ball but is stretched out on the ground. As the runner goes by the fielders feet, the fielder uses his foot to trip the runner.

[Rich Ives]

If first baseman has the ball, no obstruction.  As described with the runner jumping over the fielder attempting a tag the runner, I am calling him out for that action alone under Fed and USSSA rules for youth/school baseball. 

If anyone asks, hurdling is legal in Little League.

[maven]

Why almost? Are you referring to a fielder who does not have the ball, obstructs, and then gains possession? If so, I understand. If not, can you provide an example of a fielder who has the ball but still obstructs? Thanks.

Mike

That's not OBS by a fielder who has possession of the ball.

The Ives have it: intentional OBS (grabbing, tripping, pushing, etc.) is still possible when the fielder has the ball.

Since a fielder with the ball would almost always rather tag the runner than grab him, this is quite rare — intentional contact often rises instead to the level of MC.

[Mike Walsh]

That's not OBS by a fielder who has possession of the ball.

The Ives have it: intentional OBS (grabbing, tripping, pushing, etc.) is still possible when the fielder has the ball.

Since a fielder with the ball would almost always rather tag the runner than grab him, this is quite rare — intentional contact often rises instead to the level of MC.

I get what you and Rich said. And while it would most likely rise to MC in some games, there is no MC under OBR, so OBS is all that's left. Thanks.

Mike

[ricka56]

MC is a form of unsportmanlike conduct (UC)...OBR certainly has a way to discipline for any MC through UC. For example, when one player throws a punch at another, it is MC and UC and every time it happens that player is EJ'd.