obstruction/interference

Question
We had a situation where the batter lays down a bunt. The first baseman fields the ball. At the same time the runner on first and the second baseman covering first collide and fall to the ground. Everyone is safe. I say it is obstruction on the second baseman because she is not in the process of fielding the ball and must give way to the runner. Ump disagreed and said it was interference as she was going to cover the bag on the play. What is the correct call. This was ASA 10U. Thanks

Answer
Hi Peter,

You stated everyone was safe, if this was interference the ball would be dead, R1 would be out and the b-r is awarded 1st base BUT this is not interference.  Interference (for the most part) is the act of an offensive player that hinders a defensive player attempting to execute a play.  F4 is not attempting to execute a play, they are trying to move to a position to cover 1st, that doesn't qualify.

Obstruction is the act of a defensive player, not in the act of fielding a batted ball or not in possession of the ball that impedes the progress of a runner legally running the bases. Since F4 did not possess the ball and hindered R1 it was obstruction and we protect the runner at least between the bases they were obstructed.  F4 must allow R1 the direct path to the base R1 was taking.

Since R1 was safe @ 2nd, there is no penalty on the obstruction (if it had been called correctly) and it is cancelled.

Mark