What's the call?

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The situation: Runner on 3rd. Runner takes lead off after pitch. Catcher throws to 3rd baseman for attempted pick off. It appears runner makes it back to 3rd safely. Umpire calls runner out. 3rd base coach argues that runner was back in time. Ump says runner never made it back to the base. Says runner stepped on 3rd baseman's right foot which was on the base. My 1st thought was obstruction, but the defensive player actually got to the base at the same time she caught the ball. In other words, she was not standing there on the base without the ball. Do you agree with this umpire's call?

 

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Well, if the 3rd baseman's foot and ball got there at the same time, and the runner stepped on top of the 3rd baseman's foot, how could the runner have gotten back first?

 

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If she puts her foot on the fielder's foot and gets tagged, she's out. Obstruction? Not unless the kid has the biggest foot on Earth, covering the entire bag. Even then, she'd have to have it covered for a couple of seconds before the ball arrives. Otherwise, she has a right to be there.

If she is returning to the base properly, it is nearly impossible for the catcher to make that throw accurately anyway. Jump off the base in foul territory (to prevent being called out if hit by a batted ball); and return to the base quickly while straddling the line so a throw from the catcher will hit you or at least be difficult for the fielder to see because you're blocking her vision. Diving works, too.

Teach solid fundamentals and you won't have to argue with unpires.

 

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Sounds like the ump made the right call.

 

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I think the ump made the right call. But really how can the runner have gotten back first if she stepped on the girls foot while the foot was on the bag???? :-?

 

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From a practical standpoint- and, an umpire's perspective- if the fielders foot is "on the bag" (sitting right in the middle of it) it is virtually impossible for the runner's foot to be on top of the fielder's and NOT be touching some part of the base.

It is something you have to watch for.

Maybe, if the fielder's foot is on the side of the bag, the runner's foot *might* be prevented from touching the side of the bag- a far more likely scenarion.

As for any obstruction: This would be obstruction ONLY if the fielder truly did prevent the runner from touching the bag AND the fielder did not have possession of the ball. Once the fielder has the ball, then it cannot be obstruction.