Use of Safety bag by defense

[twinsmom]

Came up in tournament this weekend twice in one game.

Sac bunt put down by batter. Ball fielded by F1 (more toward third base line) and thrown to F4. F4 had left foot on foulside edge of safety bag, knee DOWN in seam between the two bags and right foot on field side edge of regular bag (yes, basically laid out across both bags). Our batter clearly slowed down trying to figure out how to touch bag without hurting the girl across it. Even as it was, the play could have been called either way. We argued obstruction as our player had no safe path to the bag. Umpire stated that the fielder can be anywhere on the bag. We argued that yes she can play EITHER side but not BOTH. This happened twice in this game. Didn't change anything as we won the game anyway, but what would you guys say is ruling. FYI - this is ignoring the fact the girl then picked up her left foot and rolled one of our girls head over heals by tripping her. Wouldn't have originally said it was intentional except same thing happened with second player and she was smart enough to jump over it, which actually cost her the safe call as she beat out the play but when she jumped over her foot, she missed the bag and was out by the time she came back and touched it.

My understanding reading what I could find was any fielder may use either side of the bag depending on the play...

Safety bag is legal for things such as D3K, foul fly to catcher for double play, etc.

Other side to be used for any regularly fielded ball within fair territory.

If it matters - ASA sanctioned

[vcblue]

This is obstruction and I have call it several times this year. Also, if the defencive player sets up and receives the ball while on the safety bag, and the runner touches either bag I have the BR safe because D was off the bag (unless the ball took her there or receiving the ball from 1st base side foul area). The blue blew it.

[MTR]

This is obstruction and I have call it several times this year.

That cannot be true! I am routinely told that umpires in your area NEVER call obstruction and you know coaches and parents would never lie about something like that

Also, if the defencive player sets up and receives the ball while on the safety bag, and the runner touches either bag I have the BR safe because D was off the bag (unless the ball took her there

not necessarily

or receiving the ball from 1st base side foul area).

yep

The blue blew it.

Sounds like it