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Obstruction by 1st baseman?

W wertMember
We've had this happen a number of times so far this season (9 & 10 yr olds)and I believe it is obstruction, but want a more educated opinion.
BR hits a ball in the gap for extra bases. The 1st baseman stands either on the base or right next to it forcing the BR to slow down or take a wide turn.
I asked the ump about this and he said it is a judgement call. If the runner is put out and the ump feels he would have made it had it not been for the obstruction, he would call it.
My questions is: Is there no punitive action for doing this or does the runner only get what the ump feels he would have gotten anyway?
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Michael S. TaylorMichael S. Taylor1,000+ posts
njump is correct, he should announce the obstruction when it happens. Then he decides where he is going to protect the runner. He may feel it is only a single and protect him back to first. He may protect him to second or even third depending on the play. No matter where where he protects him if he makes it there is no enforcemnet needed. If he gets thrown out at his protected base, he kills the ball and gives him the base. If he goes past the protected base and gets thrown out, that's on the runner.
MU Mr Umpire100+ posts
Just to add. Also, there is nothing the umpire can do about F3 standing where ever he stands. He can only call a violation if it occurs. So, if F3 is standing in the baseline, the umpire cannot tell him to move as many coaches want umpires to. There is no rule violation by the fielder if he is standing in the baseline and no play is currently going on.

We do not instruct players of where to stand or be. We only call violations if they occur.
WklinkWklink500+ posts
I'm going to add something here as a coach at this level.

Please call those things. Kids at this level should be learning the rules just as much as learning the fundamentals of how to field and hit. I am sure some coach is going to come out of the dugout and give you a ration of poo for making that call but the kid playing 1st base will actually learn how to play the position properly.

My son learned more about the rules by having stuff like this called on him than he ever could by having daddy or coaches try to teach it.

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