Ran across two situations recently in 12U ball:
1) 2nd baseman normally sets up closer to home than the base path. When a runner attempts to steal, shortstop would take the throw. Second baseman would cross in front of the runner and head to where she could back up the throw to 2nd. She seems to have been coached to delay long enough before crossing the basepath to cause the runner to have to break stride and slow down their progress to second. Obstruction? Only if contact is made?
2) 3rd baseman in to guard against a bunt; runner on second steals; shortstop runs in the basepath on the way to cover third and sufficient contact occurs between the runner and shortstop to disrupt the runner. Ball is overthrown past third, shortstop never got near it. Runner gets up, rounds third and gets thrown out trying to go home. Almost certainly would have made it had it not been for the collision. Contact occurred at least ten feet from the base. Obstruction or incidental contact?
Runners in both cases made earnest efforts to avoid contact. Should they be advised to make contact in these situations?
1) 2nd baseman normally sets up closer to home than the base path. When a runner attempts to steal, shortstop would take the throw. Second baseman would cross in front of the runner and head to where she could back up the throw to 2nd. She seems to have been coached to delay long enough before crossing the basepath to cause the runner to have to break stride and slow down their progress to second. Obstruction? Only if contact is made?
2) 3rd baseman in to guard against a bunt; runner on second steals; shortstop runs in the basepath on the way to cover third and sufficient contact occurs between the runner and shortstop to disrupt the runner. Ball is overthrown past third, shortstop never got near it. Runner gets up, rounds third and gets thrown out trying to go home. Almost certainly would have made it had it not been for the collision. Contact occurred at least ten feet from the base. Obstruction or incidental contact?
Runners in both cases made earnest efforts to avoid contact. Should they be advised to make contact in these situations?
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