You make the call!

A runner at first gets caught leaning on a pick off, so he begins running to second. The first baseman, chasing him, throws the ball to the second baseman. As the second baseman catches the ball, the runner turns to run back to first and collides with the first baseman, allowing the second baseman to reach him and tag him. Is the runner out?

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ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M

I'm not 100% sure just where/when the fielder has the obligation to get out of the baseline. It's been a LONG time since I played. ;)

WizardofOz · 26-30, M

@ChipmunkErnie The infielder cannot obstruct a runner, unless the infielder has the ball or is about to receive the ball, whether to actually field a hit ball or thrown ball. Runner is awarded the base he was running toward when obstruction occurred. In this case, it would be first base.

ChipmunkErnie · 70-79, M

@WizardofOz On one of the interference calls I saw recently the fielder was pretty much standing right on the base and the runner was trying to avoid him and stick one foot on the base; the fielder essentially fell over the runner's leg, which was trying to reach the base, and the runner was called out.

WizardofOz · 26-30, M

@ChipmunkErnie There's a lot of variables on a play like that. The fielder can't block first, second or third, unless the throw puts them in the base path but they can definitely stand on it waiting for a throw. The runner can slide into the base and make contact with the the fielder but for the contact to be legal, they have to start their slide a reasonable distance from the base and they have to be able to touch a part of the bag. In other words, it has to be a legitimate slide. A lot of it is a judgement call by the umpire.

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