And? 3

i've got the runner out, that's 3 outs get em in and out.

Agree - he's out.

Doesn't this fall under the rule that until the ball has went past the last possible defensive player then there can be obstruction?

I'm calling obstruction on the fielder in this case. F5 attempted to make a play on it, contacted the ball and then made contact with the runner. If the R2 is in the baseline, he's entitled to it. I wouldn't consider F5 to be "making a play" on the ball here..

"Rule 2.00 (Obstruction) Comment: It is entirely up to the judgment of the umpire as to whether a fielder is in the act of fielding a ball. After a fielder has made an attempt to field a ball and missed, he can no longer be in the “act of fielding” the ball."

And a winner.....with rule quote, even.

Mechanic for enforcement?

Jimmy specified OBR in the OP.
For contrast, here's some approved Rulings in the NCAA ruleset. From the definition of Interference (Rule 2, Section 50):

A.R. 3—If a fielder has a chance to field a batted ball, but misplays it and while attempting to recover it, the ball is in the fielder’s immediate reach and the fielder is contacted by the base runner attempting to reach a base, interference shall be called.
A.R. 4—If a fielder has a chance to field a batted ball, but misplays it and must chase after the ball, the fielder must avoid the runner. If contact occurs, obstruction shall be called.
A.R. 5—If a fielder chases after a deflected batted ball ahead of a runner’s arrival and is in the act of picking up the ball (fielding) when contact is made by an offensive player, interference is the call. If the fielder is chasing after the deflected batted ball and contact is made between the two players, obstruction should be the call.

AR 3 and AR 4 are similar to the professional interpretations (both PBUC and MLBUM). However, AR 5 (which corresponds closely to the situation in the OP) suggests that the NCAA call would be interference.

Part of the reason to bring this up is just to highlight the difference in the rules. But I've somehow gotten the idea that professional practice (or maybe just theory--I doubt this situation comes up very often) is simalar to AR 5. Any comment on that?

quote:

Originally posted by 3FingeredGlove:
A.R. 5—If a fielder chases after a deflected batted ball ahead of a runner’s arrival and is in the act of picking up the ball (fielding) when contact is made by an offensive player, interference is the call. If the fielder is chasing after the deflected batted ball and contact is made between the two players, obstruction should be the call. [/i]

But I've somehow gotten the idea that professional practice (or maybe just theory--I doubt this situation comes up very often) is simalar to AR 5. Any comment on that?

At least at the MiLB level the answer is an emphatic "no." This issue, in various forms, has been on the Minor League umpires preseason rules test several times over the past 15 years and the answer has been consistent.

One reason is that once a defender screws up his opportunity to field the ball while protected, it is difficult to predict where the ball will go and it is no longer appropriate to hold the runner responsible to avoid a wandering fielder. He had his chance.

Remember, as far back as Cartwright, one of the philosophies of the rules is to punish the side that created the problem.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy03:
One reason is that once a defender screws up his opportunity to field the ball while protected, it is difficult to predict where the ball will go and it is no longer appropriate to hold the runner responsible to avoid a wandering fielder. He had his chance.

As long as it's more than "a step and a reach," correct?

quote:

Originally posted by yawetag:

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy03:
One reason is that once a defender screws up his opportunity to field the ball while protected, it is difficult to predict where the ball will go and it is no longer appropriate to hold the runner responsible to avoid a wandering fielder. He had his chance.

As long as it's more than "a step and a reach," correct?

It's not automatic...if in the umpires judgment he is still attempting to field the ball...correct.