NFHS Obstruction

[jjskitours]

R1 is obstructed by F4 on his way to 2B and is easily thrown out trying for 3B. Out or return to 2B under NF. 

[kylehutson]

If by "easily thrown out" you mean that he would have been out even without the obstruction, then he's still out. Obstruction isn't a "get out of jail free" card. If, in the umpire's judgment, he would have gotten to 3rd if he was not obstructed, then he's awarded 3rd.

If F4 bumped him a little, and he's "easily thrown out", that's one thing. If F4 had knocked him to the ground, that's a significant amount of time he could have been running.

[maven]

The award for OBS aims to nullify the hindrance. Protect the runner that far.

It's a live-ball situation, so it's possible for runners to advance past their awarded base(s). Runners advance at their own risk.

In the OP, the umpire must judge whether the hindrance prevented the runner from reaching 3B safely. All available info throughout play may be taken into consideration (where the ball was hit, how fast the runner is, how the ball was fielded, where the throw came in, quality of throw from outfield, etc. etc.).

Any benefit of the doubt to the offended team (offense for OBS). The OP doesn't include any info about the hit, but if it's a safe single on a standard first-to-third play with a reasonably speedy runner, I'm probably awarding 3B unless the runner would have been "out by a mile" without the hindrance.

[Vegas_Ump]

Without knowing the exact "where's" and "when's", I'd protect R1 to 2B only.  Then he's on his own!  Sounds like the ball stayed in the infield!  What was R1 thinking?  No way I am guaranteeing 3B.

Players have to know that if OBS (type B) is called, they still must go full tilt and play on and wait for the play to end to determine what the nullification of the OBS means.

Mike

Las Vegas

[jjskitours]

This is a NF question so no Type A / B.

It was a base hit to the outfield. Let’s say not totally sure R1 would be thrown out. In that case put R1 back to 2nd. 

[Replacematt]

25 minutes ago, jjskitours said:

This is a NF question so no Type A / B.

It was a base hit to the outfield. Let’s say not totally sure R1 would be thrown out. In that case put R1 back to 2nd. 

You cannot return an obstructed runner to a base behind one where they were retired. Either they are protected to the base they attempted and are awarded that base, or they are not and they are out. 

[fishnfed]

Quote

I have an out.

 

[NavyChiefBlue]

Remember, you don't need to make a decision on which base you are protecting him to, until the play is over.

If it's a close play at 3rd, let your partner make his call, then kill the play (as long as no other play is being made), discuss with your partner what you had on the play and make the decision to safe him, or stay with the out. I would probably lean towards safe if it was close.

Since he was easily thrown out, what did F4 do to obstruct? Knock him down, cause him to take a couple extra steps? That will be the determining factor on how you rule this play.