Where is the Play?
Obstruction
Here is a area where umpires have an opportunity to improve. It does require judgment and understanding the concept of "unfair advantage" and also an understanding of "where is the play". Umpires that rule strictly by the letter of the rule fail miserably in this area.
Purpose
The purpose of obstruction is to avoid the defense from having an unfair advantage by having a defensive player obstruct with a base runner. If this was allowed, I would teach my infielders to tackle base runners. Get it?
Where is the Play?
Give you a scenario...runner on 1st base and 2nd base and 2 outs...18u high level of play...runners off when the ball is hit. Speed check reveals fast players on 1b and 2b. The batter runner hits the ball right over the SS forcing the CF (to her right) and LF (to her left) to move side-to-side. That in softball is a score...especially with speed on 2b and 2 outs (off on the batted ball). Runner on 2b heading to 3b crashes with the SS and falls...coach at 3b sees the obstruction and also sees the sign from the Blue. Coach sends the runner home.
Where is the play on the lead runner? Clearly there is no play at 3B on the lead runner on a base-hit to left center field. (A big hint here is the outfielders throwing home) The play is at home (the point of conflict between these two teams is at home plate on this play)....so the runner should be protected from obstruction at home and not just between 2nd and 3rd.
The question should be...had there not been obstruction what would be the greatest base that the runner would reasonably attempt? If the answer is home (as in this case) the runner should be protected from being out at home and safely awarded home (if close) or safely retuned to 3b (if out by a mile). It should never be an out.
Conclusion
In the case study above, ruling the play an out at home provides an incentive to have all shortstops collide (or obstruct) with baseburners on a base hit with two outs...that is not the intent of the rule. Umpires should ask the question "where is the play" and use appropriate judgment. In the case of a called obstruction, all benefits should be awarded to the base runner that was obstructed with.
Love to read the dissenting opinions...and also those that agree with me. So far this year, I have seen this scenario incorrectly handled four times and only properly managed once.
Manny
Head Coach
Nemesis Elite 18u