OBSTRUCTION MECHANIC

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OBSTRUCTION MECHANIC

Rule 6.01(h):

There are two types of obstruction and a different mechanic is used with each type.

1.) The first type of obstruction (Official Baseball Rule 6.01(h)(1)) deals with cases when the runner is obstructed WHILE a play is being made on such runner. Examples of this type of obstruction include:
(1) Runner is obstructed during a rundown.
(2) Runner is obstructed as a fielder is making a direct throw to a base in an attempt to retire that runner.
(3) Batter-runner is obstructed before reaching first base on a ground ball to an infielder.
(4) Any other example where a play is being made directly on the runner at the moment the runner is obstructed.

This type of obstruction is to be signaled by the umpire immediately calling “Time” (both hands overhead) and then pointing laterally at the obstruction while calling loudly and clearly, “That’s obstruction.” The ball is dead immediately under this section of the obstruction rule, and all runners shall be awarded bases they would have reached had there been no obstruction. Furthermore, the obstructed runner shall be awarded at least one base beyond his last legally touched base at the time of obstruction.

Note that this section of the obstruction rule (i.e., runner obstructed while play being made on such runner) also provides for cases when a thrown ball is in flight at the moment the obstruction occurs. In such cases, the umpire shall take into consideration the results of the throw when making the award. As an example, if a throw is in flight at the moment the obstruction occurs (umpire calls “Time”) and if the throw turns out to be wild and goes out of play, all runners will be awarded two bases (even though the umpire had called “Time” before the ball went out of play). In such cases as this, the umpires have the responsibility of determining whether a throw is made before or after the obstruction. If the umpire judges that a throw was made after the obstruction, the obstructed runner will be awarded only one base from the base such runner last touched at the time of obstruction.

2.) The second type of obstruction (Official Baseball Rule 6.01(h)(2)) deals with cases when the runner is obstructed while NO PLAY is being made on such runner. Examples of this type of obstruction include:
(1) Batter-runner is obstructed in rounding first base on a base hit while the ball is in the outfield.
(2) Batter-runner is obstructed before reaching first base on a ball hit to the outfield.
(3) Runner from first steals second; catcher’s throw is wild and goes into center field; runner is obstructed in attempting to advance to third base. Ball is loose in the outfield when obstruction occurs.
(4) Runner from second is obstructed while rounding third base on a hit to the outfield.
(5) Any other example where no play is being made directly on the runner at the moment he is obstructed.

Under this section of the obstruction rule, the obstruction is to be signaled by the umpire pointing laterally at the obstruction while calling loudly and clearly, “That’s obstruction.” The ball is not dead, however, and the umpire shall allow play to continue until all play has ceased and no further action is possible (see exception in NOTE (1) below). At that moment, the umpire shall call “Time” and impose such penalties, if any, that in the umpire’s judgment will nullify the act of obstruction. It is important to note that in cases occurring under this section of the obstruction rule, the umpire shall not call “Time” until all action has ceased and no further play is possible.

NOTE (1): If a runner is obstructed under this second section of the obstruction rule, play is to proceed to completion—even if it results in a play later being made on the runner who was previously obstructed. However, if such a play on a previously obstructed runner results in that runner actually being tagged out before reaching the base to which such runner would have been awarded because of the obstruction, the umpire shall in that case call “Time” at the moment the runner is tagged out. The umpire shall then impose such penalties that will nullify the obstruction, which will include, of course, the obstructed runner being awarded the base to which such runner would be entitled because of the obstruction.
NOTE (2): Runner Obstructed While No Play Being Made on Him. In determining what base a runner will be awarded under this second section of the obstruction rule, it is permissible for the umpire to consider the position and speed of the runner, ball, and fielder at the moment the obstruction occurs. However, the ultimate decision in placing the runners shall not be made until all play has ceased and shall be based on the principle that the obstructed runner will be entitled to the base such runner would have reached had no obstruction occurred.
NOTE (3): If a runner is obstructed while no play is being made on him, the umpire making the call should have the benefit of input of his partners in determining what bases, if any, shall be awarded to the obstructed runner. In other words, the crew may confer in order to determine what reasonably might have happened had the obstruction not occurred.

    EXAMPLE:
Play: Batter-runner hits a fair ball down the right field line and is obstructed in rounding first base. At the moment the obstruction occurs, the right fielder has not yet fielded the ball, and it appears at that moment that the batter-runner will end up with a stand-up double. However, as play proceeds, the ball gets by the right fielder, and the batter-runner continues on to third. The batter-runner is then thrown out at third base on a very close play.
Ruling: Because it is permissible for the umpire to consider the position of the runner, ball, and fielder at the moment the obstruction occurs, the umpire may initially plan on “protecting” the batter-runner as far as second base. However, as play continued, it became apparent that had the batter-runner not been obstructed in rounding first base, the batter-runner would have reached third safely. Therefore, the moment the batter-runner is tagged out at third base, “Time” is called and the batter-runner is awarded third on the obstruction. This decision is made on the principle that the umpire, in making awards on this type of obstruction, shall allow play to continue until no further action is possible and then shall make awards—if any—that will nullify the obstruction. In this example, if the umpire felt that the obstruction had no bearing on the fact that the batter-runner was thrown out at third, the out would stand.

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