AlwaysImprove wrote:Thanks for the great discussion about the extent of OBS protection. I believe many misunderstand it and I know I have had great umpires, i.e. ton's of ASA training, explain it to me differently.
I would like to understand the decision points of when OBS is in effect and when it is removed. On something closer to the original scenario.
Let's say BR1 did not really look like they were busting around the base hard headed for 2b, they were just lightly rounding, even almost stopped, when contact happened. BR1 then stands there for a few seconds. LF throws to 2b. BR1 takes two steps back and touches 1b. Then the overthrow. At this poing BR1 takes off for 2b, and is thrown out.
Based on discussion above, could umpire interpret that runner as not intending to go to 2b when obstruction occurred, so protected back to 1b? These are more questions as I try to understand how and when obstruction protection is put on, and when it is taken off.
As to ASA, NCAA, and NFHS/PGF:
There are two separate forms of "protection" to an obstructed runner. First, the runner is protected to whatever base the umpire judges the runner would have reached if not obstructed. This judgment is NOT tied to a runner's attempt to reach that base, or failure to attempt to advance; at the end of play, unless the runner violates a very short list of rules (interferes, misses a base, leaves a base early on fly ball), the runner is to be awarded THAT base. Nor do subsequent plays or misplays prior to "all play has ended" limit or increase that award; if the obstructed runner never gets that far, it is to be awarded. If the runner attempts beyond that base (except if also protected in the second form, too), the runner is in jeopardy, and protection has ended.
Second, the runner is protected one base in both directions from the point of the obstruction; and that obstruction, if rounding a base, can (and should) be judged to have occurred on both sides of that base. If put out between these bases, the ball is dead, and the runner is placed on the base determined in the first part; it may be forward, it may be back. This protection ends ONLY with the same short list of violations noted above, or if the added exception of 1) has reached the judged base, AND 2) there is a play made on another runner, AND 3) the obstructed runner then attempts to advance after the play on the other runner, applies.
"When all play ends" is also not related to if/when the runner attempts to advance, even if she has initially stopped and is directed to attempt. Play ends when the ball is in the circle in pitcher possession and all runners have stopped advances, or if umpire calls time. Fragmented play attempts do not change this (as in a late attempt to advance); ALL play must be ended.
In all cases, BOTH forms of protection apply. Only if both forms of protection are ended as described above, or do not apply, or all play has ended, does the obstructed runner regain jeopardy.