Baserunner who started on 1st is going to 3rd, sees the throw to 3rd is way wide to the home plate side and turns for home. 3rd baseman runs into baserunner chasing after the ball which is now well into foul territory between home and 3rd. Baserunner is slowed down but still makes it home safely. Batter stops at second. Should something have been called?
Any Possible obstruction between 3rd and home
- Thread starter robokill
- Start date
MaverickAH
Well-Known Member
The answer is NO.
Obstruction is a delayed dead ball. If the runner reaches the base that the umpires thinks that they would've attained w/o the obstruction, there is no call. Since the obstructed runner reached home safely, nothing else needs to be done.
What I will say about the play that you describe, is that I'm not completely sure if this is a clear & cut case of obstruction. It could be just a case of incidental contact. It does happen from time to time. Not all cases of contact are obstruction or interference, especially on errant throws. Each incident has got to be judged on its own merit.
EAJuggalo
Addicted to Softballfans
By the book this is a clear cut case of obstruction. The fielder impeded the runner while not being in possession of the ball, in the act of fielding a batted ball or taking a proper position to receive a thrown ball. But there should not have been a call made because the runner scored. Now if the runner would have turned back to third I would have awarded him home.
irishmafia
Addicted to Softballfans
Absolutely! The umpire should have called the OBS.
Once the OBS players scores and the umpire believes no other runner was affected by the OBS, the violation is ignored. If not, when all play is obviously complete, the umpire should call time and make any necessary awards.
But the key is to ALWAYS, without exception, the call needs to be made when it occurs.