In a recent Triple-A minor league game the batter-runner was obstructed by the first baseman who was fielding an errant throw from third base. As the first baseman went after the ball, he made contact with the batter- runner who was attempting to go to second. The batter-runner jogged to second, then turned it on to get to third base. There was a close play, and he was called safe. The umpire immediately killed the play and awarded the runner third base after the play ended. The question was, given the batter-runner jogged to second base, had he been thrown out at third base, would the out stand or is that purely umpires discretion?

Ruleball Comments

1. This would be a Type 2 obstruction because the batter-runner was not obstructed when there was a play being directly made on him.
2. The actions of the batter-runner jogging to second base are irrelevant. When the action stops, the umpires simply determine if the batter-runner would have been safe or out had there been no obstruction. If the batter-runner was an easy out, the out would stand. The umpires would protect the runner and call him safe if it was a close play.
3. In the above play, most likely the umpires would have protected the batter-runner to at least second base and if he was out on a close play at third base or the plate he would only be protected if it was a close play. By advancing beyond second base, he did so at his own risk.  
4. Of course, always hustling hard increases the chances for a safe call on a close play, even though it appears the runner is out when Type 2 obstruction is called.

Rich Marazzi

Rules consultant/analyst:  Angels, D’backs, Dodgers, Nationals, Orioles, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Rangers, Royals, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Yankees, Bally Sports, YES, and NBC Sports Chicago.