Obstruction question
2016/7/15 16:57:10
Question
Dr. Mark,
Last night I was behind the plate and I had a hit to the outfield that was not fielded cleanly. The runner on second took third and the third baseman was behind the bag but in the running path if the runner wanted to take home. I raise the live ball obstruction signal. The ball came in and was cleanly fielded. I did not give the runner home since he stopped after slightly rounding third and with a minor collision with the thirdbaseman. In my opinion he would not have made it anyway since it was fielded cleanly. I then warned the third baseman on obstruction. My question is should I have awarded home? It was my opinion that he would not have made it. Also what if the ball was not fielded cleanly and the runner had stopped anyway, should I award a base in that instance? Finally was I right to warn the baseman in obstruction and can a fielder be ejected if they continue to obstruct?
Thanks
Answer
Hi Eric,
w/ obstruction we award the base they would have made had there been no obstruction, sometimes that means no advancement. Since in your opinion they would not had made home the award is 3rd.
We don't warn or eject for obstruction, just protect the runner according to the rule.
Mark
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