What is the correct call?

Seen this a couple times, wanted to see what folks think.

Pick off play with runner on 1st. 1st base is up, pitch out, 2nd comes in behind runner while ball is in the air (if it makes a difference), blocks the base, catches the ball and tags runner out.

What is the correct call?

 

Blocks the base how? You dont give enough info for not being able to see the play.

 

Had obstruction called on 1st baseman last year for that. The umpire said that the runner had to have access to the bag if the 1st baseman didn't have the ball yet. He also said that there would be no call as long as the runner was not tagged out but if she was tagged out it would be ruled obstruction and the runner called safe due to the obstruction. Runner would stay at 1st.

He didn't make any kind of call or comment as long as the runner got back safely. But I do think that since we mentioned that 1st baseman was blocking the bag helped.

 

Putting herself between the runner and the bag and getting low to receive the ball and make the tag.

 

Have seen it called both ways. In one game, the ump called the runner out. In another game, the ump called obstruction on 2nd basewoman (runner called safe and stayed at first as you mentioned).

So why is this any different than throwing down to 2nd on a steal and SS blocking the base or the catcher blocking the plate on a throw home?

 

I am so confused.

So you're saying the first basemen is playing in, say in a bunt position, the second basemen comes flying around behind the runner, catches the ball at first, and tags the runner out while the first basemen throws almost a pick?

 

It's not different really. If the defense blocks access to the base before she has the ball then it's obstruction.

Where it turns into a judgment call is when it's bang-bang. And we know how judgment calls go.

 

When a ball is being thrown to a fielder and the fielder is in the runners path if the ball gets to the fielder before the runner has to slow down or contact the fielder then there is no obstruction.

When the runner gets there before the ball then its obstruction.

When the runner and the ball arrive at the same time there is no call.


This is the way most umpires are trained on this type of play.

And that is why spectators think there is inconsistency in the way its called, most spectators don't look at when the ball arrives in relation to the runner.



Hope this helps.

 

First base was up, like in bunt position, but that was it. She ducked when the ball was thrown. 2nd comes flying in behind runner, gets between the base and runner, catches the ball, tags the runner out.

 

Did the runner have to stop or slow down significantly before the fielder had the ball?

Of course, if you run into the fielder there won't be anyone there to field the ball. That would be legal, I think; as long as the intent was to get to the bag--not run the fielder over.