Expert: Martin Hoover - 9/29/2008

Question
QUESTION: Runner on first, little league. Firstbaseman is a step back of the base line and two steps toward second. A ground ball is hit to the firstbase man who steps forward. The runner takes two steps and has no time to stop or move around the first baseman and their feet get entangled. Snice the fielder moved in front of the runner just as he began to run and had no time to adjust, Iis there obstruction or interference or neither.

ANSWER: Greg,

If the runner had time to react, and there was contact made, I would call interference.  However, with the example you have given me, it sounds like nothing.  Both the fielder and runner were doing what they were suppose to do, and happened to get tangled up.

Honestly, it sounds like I had to be there to make a correct judgement call.

I hope this has helped.  Should you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

-Martin Hoover

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thnaks. I agree. is there a ruling on the encessity of the fielder stopping in the basepath. The ball was sloewly hit so if he had continued through to the ball there would have been not contact. but he stepped into the path and stoppedm and to wait for the ball.

I instructed the fielder that next timne it might be best to eihter field the ball behind the basepath or in front of it if he can because by cutting in front of the rummer the runner had no way to aviod him. I did this nopt as a rule, but he had a bettr chance to field the ball and make the out which the contact made difficult.

I believe it is a no call and for both obstruction and interferecne there has to be some element of intent?

Answer
Greg,

As an umpire, we must remember that these kids are not very familiar with the ballfield, and would not even know what a basepath is.  This is where coaching comes into play.

Please remember there is no need to have an element of intent to call interference or obstruction (ex: the 1st baseman standing on the bag, looking at a fly ball to right field, he's just watching the ball, not really showing intent to obstruct... but we would call obstruction on him).

-Martin Hoover