Straddling the bag. Is it obstuction?

[jbolt_2000]

I just took a rules clinic this weekend for our local Little League which is starting practice next week. There was one area I had an issue with. The instructor, who has had 22 years of umpire experience, stated that straddling the bag before you have possession of the ball is considered obstruction of the base runner.

Now, I understand how this is obstruction, it makes perfect sense. My problem is that I have been studying different techniques on covering second base on a steal. From most everything I am reading or seeing is stating that you need to straddle the bag to receive the ball and tag the runner. According to these rules, however, it seems that you cannot straddle the bag until you receive the ball, or can get out of the way before the runner comes in, which seems to defeat the purpose of straddling altogehter.

The instructor says that this is a MLB rule as well. Is this true? If this is all true, what is the best way to position yourself to receive a throw from the catcher to tag the runner at second?

[BallCoach06]

I used to teach, coming in front of the bag, but runners have picked up on that over the years (by watching tv, etc.) and go head first to the back of the bag. If this happens, it is pretty tough to get the out.

This is what I teach now. Go to the back of the bag and face squared to the throw (catcher). The player needs to hold his position as long as he can and then bust it. By doing this the player can react easily to a throw that goes let or right. Once the player judges the throw to be online, he moves up into the straddle position to receive the ball. We then teach the player to "get his nose in there" and get the tag on the runner.

[SimiBaseball]

Position at the bag

I find this (setting up in front of the bag) to be one of the most common mistakes I see at both 2B and 3B. Ideally, the receiver should set up in a position where he can own the outfield side of the bag (side toward right center field if 2B) of the bag then shift to a straddle if the throw is accurate. On throws to 2B from left center to right field, the receiver should set up on the infield side of the bag (side toward 3B) and shift to straddle on an accurate throw (assuming the runner is coming from 1B). The idea is to let the ball travel to the spot directly over the tag rather than catching out front then sweeping. As long as the throw is imminent, the fielder should not be called for obstruction.

[jbolt_2000]

Cool - thanks guys!

So it sounds like they need to get in a good position to field a bad throw first, and as they see it in line with their target, that is when they straddle the bag for the tag.

[BallCoach06]

The idea is to let the ball travel to the spot directly over the tag rather than catching out front then sweeping.

Big point right there. Don't let your fielders reach for the ball. The ball will travel faster than they can move the glove. So let it travel rather than catch and sweep back.

It is the same for first basemen when they hold runners at first.

[jbooth]

I just took a rules clinic this weekend for our local Little League which is starting practice next week. There was one area I had an issue with. The instructor, who has had 22 years of umpire experience, stated that straddling the bag before you have possession of the ball is considered obstruction of the base runner.

Now, I understand how this is obstruction, it makes perfect sense. My problem is that I have been studying different techniques on covering second base on a steal. From most everything I am reading or seeing is stating that you need to straddle the bag to receive the ball and tag the runner. According to these rules, however, it seems that you cannot straddle the bag until you receive the ball, or can get out of the way before the runner comes in, which seems to defeat the purpose of straddling altogehter.

The instructor says that this is a MLB rule as well. Is this true? If this is all true, what is the best way to position yourself to receive a throw from the catcher to tag the runner at second?

Either you misunderstood him, or he has 22 years of ignorance with him.

The rule book definition is;

OBSTRUCTION is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner.

To make it simple; the fielder SHOULD set up outside the runner's path while he is waiting for the ball. He is then allowed to move into the path IF NECESSARY, in the umpire's judgment, to catch the ball.

However, if a fielder is setup in the line, or straddling the bag, it COULD become obstruction, IF the ball is not caught before the runner is impeded in getting to the base. If the ball arrives and is caught befoe the runner is impeded, it is NOT obstruction.

It is never obstruction until you judge that the runner's progress has been impeded. Until that occurs, the fielder can be wherever he wishes.

An old phrase to help remember the rule is; if the ball beats the runner, it is not obstruction. Otherwise, it is obstruction if the fielder impedes the runner and he does not have a legitimate reason to be in the path. ie moved there to field the ball.

If a fielder is straddling the bag and there is not going to be a play there, and the runner wants to continue to the next base, then of course that would be obstruction if the fielder doesn't get away from the base, and clear the path. But, if a play is coming to the base and the runner is going to slide, then the fielder may straddle the base, but he must not block the base until he has the ball, or is forced to move into the path to catch the ball.

I have a DVD you can buy, if you want to see live illustrations of the interpretation of rules. Go to;

http://baseball-rules.com

Or, you can just read the free stuff that is there. I have a section on obstruction, with photos.

[jbolt_2000]

Either you misunderstood him, or he has 22 years of ignorance with him.

I probably misunderstood him or he didn't quite understand what I meant when I was asking about positioning the player during a steal to second base.

If a fielder is straddling the bag and there is not going to be a play there, and the runner wants to continue to the next base, then of course that would be obstruction if the fielder doesn't get away from the base, and clear the path. But, if a play is coming to the base and the runner is going to slide, then the fielder may straddle the base, but he must not block the base until he has the ball, or is forced to move into the path to catch the ball.

I understand now. So it is OK to straddle the bag if you get out of the way in time for the runner to advance AND do not have possession of the ball.

In this instance where the runner is stealing and you have your SS or 2nd baseman covering, do you have them straddle the bag and get out of the way if they know the throw is not gonna make it in time, or do they set up behind the bag, anticipating a bad throw, and when it is in line with the tag, then straddle and catch and tag?

[jbooth]

I probably misunderstood him or he didn't quite understand what I meant when I was asking about positioning the player during a steal to second base.




I understand now. So it is OK to straddle the bag if you get out of the way in time for the runner to advance AND do not have possession of the ball.

In this instance where the runner is stealing and you have your SS or 2nd baseman covering, do you have them straddle the bag and get out of the way if they know the throw is not gonna make it in time, or do they set up behind the bag, anticipating a bad throw, and when it is in line with the tag, then straddle and catch and tag?

I don't know exactly what pros are taught, but I most often see the SS come into the home plate side of the base to catch the ball and then they apply the tag. If the throw is late they are not in position to be guilty of obstruction. The second baseman sometimes comes into that position also, and sometimes he has his right foot on the right-field side of the base and his left foot on the first base side, but not in the runner's path. They don't usually straddle the bag (although sometimes they do), they usually set up to leave the path clear and to catch the ball on the first base side of the base.

Here is a statement from the pro umpire school;

A fielder is "in the act of fielding" and it is NOT obstruction, if, his block of the base, is a fluid, continuous result of his effort to glove the ball. Separate, discontinuous movement, whose sole purpose is to block the base, is obstruction.

Some history;

Historical Notes: As early as 1857, the Knickerbocker Rules recognized and penalized the act of obstruction: "Rule 23 - If the player is prevented from making a base by the intentional obstruction of an adversary, he shall be entitled to that base, and not be put out."

This rule was adopted for the first Official Rules of 1876. No significant change in wording occurred until 1897. That year, "obstruction" was clarified by explaining that if the fielder had the ball "in his hand ready to meet the baserunner", no "obstruction" should be called. That criterion for defining "obstruction" is part of the definition found in section 2.00 of today's rules.
Through the first half of the 20th century, these original guidelines prevailed. The runner had the right of way unless the fielder was in the act of fielding the ball, or the fielder had the ball in his possession ready to touch the baserunner.

[ssarge]

"Rule 23 - If the player is prevented from making a base by the intentional obstruction of an adversary, he shall be entitled to that base, and not be put out."

Not meant to be argumentative, I'm really asking:

So what's the downside of obstructing? Persumably, you wouldn't do it unless you think the runner would be safe otherwise. So if it is called, the runner is safe, but would have been safe anyway. If it isn't called and the runner is tagged out, you improved the situation.

I've always thought it was an impotent rule.

And I think delayed obstruction is even worse. Puts too much onus on the base runner. It's one thing to guage your own abilities and probabilities of making it to the next base. In youth and HS play, you also have to guage the probabilities that the umpire knows the rule, and will interpret it properly. And before all the umpires jump on me - I know YOU know the rule. There is a very significant percentage of umpires who don't. And if you don't think so, you aren't watching.

[Steven Tyler]

Little League is modified Official Baseball Rules, so who knows how they interpret obstruction in their rule set. It could be a safety thing, so they feel that penalizing the defense is a way of keeping the fielder from being in the runner's base path and cuts down on collisions.

[ssarge]

Little League is modified Official Baseball Rules, so who knows how they interpret obstruction in their rule set. It could be a safety thing, so they feel that penalizing the defense is a way of keeping the fielder from being in the runner's base path and cuts down on collisions.

Steven:

I get that, and agree with the concept. Certainly at that age / skill level.

I just don't think it is much of a penalty. Don't see where it much incentivizes the defense to avoid the violation.

[jbooth]

So what's the downside of obstructing? Persumably, you wouldn't do it unless you think the runner would be safe otherwise. So if it is called, the runner is safe, but would have been safe anyway. If it isn't called and the runner is tagged out, you improved the situation.

When you're dealing with inexperienced umpires, or umpires ignorant of the rule, you are probably correct.

If I'm the ump (27 years experience and rules knowledgeable), if I see you deliberately, illegally obstruct for no reason, I'll give you a warning and the next time you do it, I'll eject you for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Also, it is a judgment call and the ump will award at least one base in obstruction on a play, but can award more, and shall award however many bases he deems will nullify the obstruction on obstruction without a play. If I think you did it on purpose and have done it more than once, I could award an additional base and say that is my judgment, and you can't protest or do anything about a judgment call.

Experienced umps no how to deal with rule benders and downright cheaters. They will invoke severe penalties when the occaision arises.

Delayed dead ball obstruction IS a tough call. It is tough for the ump and as you stated, it causes confusion for the runner. But, what can you do? If you make the ball dead, that could easily help out the defense. You have to let the play go and then apply penalties that would nullify the obstruction. My advice to runners, is to not risk getting themselves out by a mile. Obtain the nearest base that you can get to safely and then stop and let the ump sort it out. Don't risk getting put out and then hope the ump reverses it.

[jbooth]

Little League is modified Official Baseball Rules, so who knows how they interpret obstruction in their rule set. It could be a safety thing, so they feel that penalizing the defense is a way of keeping the fielder from being in the runner's base path and cuts down on collisions.

The only difference between LL and OBR is that LL will not let the fielder set up in the path and then hope the ball arrives first. The fielder MUST setup out of the path, and then he still may move into the path if necessary to catch the ball.

[ssarge]

The only difference between LL and OBR is that LL will not let the fielder set up in the path and then hope the ball arrives first. The fielder MUST setup out of the path, and then he still may move into the path if necessary to catch the ball.

Basically the same with JO softball. The rule was modified two years ago to eliminate the phrase "in the act of receiving the ball." You have to HAVE the ball to block the base. The rule could not be less ambiguous. Gets called correctly about one time in three.

Regards,

Scott

[Slapper23]

Personally, I like the revised obstruction definition that the fielder must have possession of the ball. It does cut down collisions and therefore increases safety. I respect what Scott is saying because I know he sees a lot of games, but in my experience as a HS coach the obstruction call is handled pretty well by our umpires. It used to irk me to no end to see infielders, especially 1st baseman, blocking the base on a leadoff hoping to tag the runner on the throw. During those times I told my runners to bulldoze the fielder off the base, or in my sometimes colorful way, to "take their heads off." So I'm glad the new rule eliminates a lot of that stuff and improves safety.

Mike