Obstruction?

[JoeC]

Runner on 1st and batter hits the ball between 1st and 2nd. Both F3 and F-4 start going after the ball. F3 notices that F4 can get it and stops going after the ball. When he stops the runner runs into him. Is this obstruction?

[grayhawk]

If the umpire judges that F4 is the protected fielder, and F3 impedes the progress of R1, then F3 has committed obstruction.  In OBR, this would be Type 2 obstruction, the umpire should point and verbalize, "that's obstruction" and let the play continue.  At the end of playing action, the umpire would award R1 the base(s) he would have reached, IF ANY, to nullify the act of obstruction.  If F4 fielded the ball cleanly and threw to F6 to retire R1, unless that was a close play, then R1 is still going to be out.  If F4 threw to first instead, then it's likely that R1 would just remain at second base.

[Richvee]

If the umpire judges that F4 is the protected fielder, and F3 impedes the progress of R1, then F3 has committed obstruction.  In OBR, this would be Type 2 obstruction, the umpire should point and verbalize, "that's obstruction" and let the play continue.  At the end of playing action, the umpire would award R1 the base(s) he would have reached, IF ANY, to nullify the act of obstruction.  If F4 fielded the ball cleanly and threw to F6 to retire R1, unless that was a close play, then R1 is still going to be out.  If F4 threw to first instead, then it's likely that R1 would just remain at second base.

FED rules...Someone correct me if I'm wrong....because what I'm about to say just doesn't seem "fair"......

OBS in FED is automatically a minimum one base award. So we call the OBS, all FED OBS is  delayed dead ball. If F4 throws to 1st, we have an out there, and R2. However, if F4 throws to F6 covering 2nd, no matter how far R1 is out by, we award R1 2nd base, and if a return throw to 1st is too late, we've got R1, R2 no outs recorded.

How many F4's in high school would know the correct play here is 1st base, regardless of how much R1 would be out at 2nd by if he threw there?   

[maven]

 

How many F4's in high school would know the correct play here is 1st base, regardless of how much R1 would be out at 2nd by if he threw there?   

None. So? If he doesn't want to be penalized, stay out of the runner's way.

FED imposes stricter penalties on collisions in order to minimize them among players less skilled than pros. I'm fine with that.

As for fairness: the same penalties apply to OBS by either team. That's perfectly fair.

[Richvee]

None. So? If he doesn't want to be penalized, stay out of the runner's way.

FED imposes stricter penalties on collisions in order to minimize them among players less skilled than pros. I'm fine with that.

As for fairness: the same penalties apply to OBS by either team. That's perfectly fair.

Very true.

[JaxRolo]

You can only protect 1 fielder. Just pick the right one.

[Ump29]

Yes. OBS in OBR