Catcher interference

Question
No outs. R1 at second base. B1 hits ground ball to second base. Shortstop moves instinctively left towards batted ball and has major collision with R1. R1 advances to third safely; B1 is thrown out at first. Play over and PU awards first to B1 for catcher interference(bat swing hits catcher's glove). R1 is moved back to secong base for obstruction. Shortstop had no chance to make a play on the batted ball. Should R1 have been sent back to second base?

Answer
Hi Jim,

This would be "catcher's obstruction" not interference. The defense "obstructs" , the offense "interferes".

In your case the b-r doesn't safely achieve 1st base and now the manager has the option of taking the result of the play, B-R out, R1 on 3rd, (the obstruction of R1 on the play would probably be canceled as on a ground ball to the IF, I doubt the umpire would judge they would have achieved home w/out being obstructed.  So in this play the obstruction really doesn't matter. Lets say it doesn't happen, the coach's choice is still going to be the same, R1 3rd, B-R out) OR awarding the b-r 1st base and advancing any other runners only if forced.  

Since the manager took the 2nd option all play that happened on the batted ball is canceled and we apply the rule. B-R on 1st, R1 on 2nd.

Just to be clear R1 was not moved back to 2nd by any obstruction call on F6 but by rule since they were not forced.

Mark