Obstruction / Look Back Rule
Nobody on base, no outs. The batter hits a curving line drive shot down the right field line that hits fair and then rolls into foul territory for extra bases. The batter-runner, after passing 1st and 2nd base, and while on the way to 3rd base, is obstructed between 2nd and 3rd by the short stop. Contact is made and the base umpire signals obstruction. While the ball is coming back from the outfield to the pitcher, the obstructed runner is still between 2nd and 3rd base. The pitcher gets control of the ball in the circle and turns away from the obstructed runner facing home plate. The obstructed runner, who is still between 2nd and 3rd, is confused by the base coach and starts back towards 2nd base. That's ok. However, then the obstructed runner changes direction and breaks for 3rd base while the ball is still in control by the pitcher within the pitching circle. This is a Look Back rule violation. The umpire does not immediately kill the play. The pitcher, then hearing all of the yelling, turns and throws the ball to 3rd base to put out the obstructed runner while sliding into 3rd base. What do you have? Back to Quiz
Runner is out on Look Back rule violation.
Rules supplement #36 (Obstruction) gives a better understanding for this play. In part, it says:
It should be clear that the statement "a runner cannot be called out between the two bases the runner was obstructed" does not apply when the runner committed another violation and that violation is being played upon.
It then gives an example of a runner leaving too soon, but the general statement shown above indicates that if an obstructed runner commits another violation after the obstruction occurs, then the obstruction may no longer apply.
So even though a Look Back rule violation is not specifically included within the rules section as one of the listed actions that would overrule obstruction, the above rules supplement statement sounds like that list of actions is not all inclusive, and may also include other violations like a Look Back rule violation.
This being true, then the runner would be out at the time of the Look Back rule violation which would overrule the obstruction and the ball would be dead. No other plays may be made after the ball becomes dead.
The only other option would be to let Obstruction protect the runner even when the runner commits another violation (like a Look Back rule violation), but this would not be fair and also does not agree with the sprit of the above statement. |
