Obstruction

[Dangerdare]

Dropped third strike and catcher does not throw to first however, First Baseman stands on bag and does not allow runner the bag. A collision takes place. Is this Obstruction? Does the First Baseman have an obligation to move to a collision or contact? 

[beerguy55]

2 hours ago, 834k3r said:

Not from my read, but I'm open to other interpretations. What's your reasoning?

Because if OBS happened before first, then first is the "next base".

[MadMax]

3 hours ago, 834k3r said:

Not from my read, but I'm open to other interpretations.

With a re-read of the OP, there isn’t even an OBS to call. 

Look, I get it, we extrapolate and expand these “Ask the U” topics into a range of “What ifs” to cover possibilities as thoroughly as any one of us presents yet another “What if?”. 

However, @maven is on to something in his answer. No OBS to call. This isn’t a “Whether to call OBS or not” question, this is a “Game Management & Situation Mitigation” question. 

How come? Why’s that?

Because there wasn’t a play – ie. a throw from F2 to F3 – upon the Batter-Runner, on a U3K (of all things). 

Just because there’s a collision does not mean that we must call something official (such as OBS, or INT); instead, we need to see the entirety of the play for what it is, and what it could potentially be. 

In this case, the catcher (F2) stood there, with the ball in either his vicinity or possession, but didn’t throw it. No throw → no play → nothing to call (OBS, INT, otherwise). BR arrives to a collision at 1B because F3 is being a dumbass. Now, if you (as Umpire) want to or discern to call “Time”, and make sure everyone’s alright, and address the collision, and admonish the F3 for “being a ...” / standing where he shouldn’t, then by all means do so. But again, that’s situation management. 

[The Man in Blue]

Am I missing something, @MadMax and @maven?  If F3 was between the runner and the bag, it is obstruction.

Interference requires a play.  Obstruction does not.

BR is stretching a double into an easy stand up triple as the ball is rolling around in the RF corner.   F6 is standing in his path as he rounds second.  Collision.  Obstruction.  

As I said earlier, maybe there isn't a penalty needed to negate the obstruction, but that doesn't mean it wasn't obstruction.

[beerguy55]

18 hours ago, MadMax said:

However, @maven is on to something in his answer. No OBS to call. This isn’t a “Whether to call OBS or not” question, this is a “Game Management & Situation Mitigation” question. 

How come? Why’s that?

Because there wasn’t a play – ie. a throw from F2 to F3 – upon the Batter-Runner, on a U3K (of all things). 

Just because there’s a collision does not mean that we must call something official (such as OBS, or INT); instead, we need to see the entirety of the play for what it is, and what it could potentially be. 

Don't you have to acknowledge at the time of the collision in case something comes of it.  A collision between a runner and a fielder is almost always something, even if there's no real penalty to assess (or the award is that base)...is this really one of those "almost" times where it's nothing?  If F3 was in front of  the base, it's OBS regardless of a throw is it not?  What if the collision caused B/R to miss the base - you calling OBS right away, or waiting to see if the defense appeals before saying "no wait, it was OBS".   Acknowledging OBS when it happens is cleaner isn't it?  Shows everyone you had something when it happened...and then wait for the totality of the play to determine if there's a penalty/award to assess...no?

I'm thinking of a scenario where the collision happens, B/R is on the ground, then F2 throws the ball away for whatever reason...but B/R is unable to advance because of the collision.

And frankly, even if nothing happens, calling OBS on F3 and giving B/R second base, (because OBS happened after first base - at least in FED) might be the best lesson F3 can learn to get out of the way, if personal injury doesn't seem to matter.