Injury and Obstruction

[nicshow]

R1 & R2 as B1 hits a ground ball to F3. F3 throws to F4 who takes the throw at 2B. The runners slide knocks him off his feet and onto R1 who attempts to get up and advance but is unable to do so because of F4 laying injured on top of his legs. I called obstruction and the play came to an end with no further action. We then called time and partner and I agreed to leave R1 at 2B given the fact that F4 was injured. I know, by rule, we probably should have awarded R2 a base but wondering if this was the right way to handle the situation?

Nic

[maven]

You did award R1 a base: you awarded him 2B. We need to consider whether that was the correct award.

You don't say whether R1 was put out, but I'm guessing that F4 missed the throw. You also don't say where the contact occurred, but if R1 slid into F4 (legal slide?) on the 1B side of the base, the contact might have been legal (not FPSR). In that case, I agree with the OBS call.

You don't mention the code, but it sounds as if the OBS occurred short of 2B. If so, even FED's mandatory award requires only that you advance R1 to 2B, one base beyond the base last touched at the TOI. You could also have advanced him to 3B, had the ball been far enough from any fielder that an unobstructed runner would have reached 3B on the play.

The fact that F4 was injured is not a reason to change your award, and, though unfortunate, is irrelevant to the proper ruling on the play.

[nicshow]

He had achieved 2nd. He was getting up in an effort to achieve 3rd when he was unable to take a step because F4 was on top of him. So, I'm thinking that he probably should have been awarded 3rd by rule.

[nicshow]

And yes, the slide was legal and F4 dropped the throw

[noumpere]

18 hours ago, nicshow said:

He had achieved 2nd. He was getting up in an effort to achieve 3rd when he was unable to take a step because F4 was on top of him. So, I'm thinking that he probably should have been awarded 3rd by rule.

In that case you also award R2 (who I assume is now standing on third) home.  R1's award "forces" R2 home.

[kstrunk]

Did we establish rule set? If OBR, is the fielder physically lying on the runner after a play was made on that runner enough to kill it and make awards (assuming someone is trying to recover the ball to make a further play)? Or is it still delayed dead ball obstruction?