Obstruction of Runner

Question
Had this situation last night during 11 & 12 yr old game.
Base runner on 2B steals on dropped ball by catcher. Fielder at 3B is in baseline as runner approaches and intentionally trips runner before the catcher throws the ball. Runner is sent flying over the 3B bag and lands a few feet away and is scrambling on the ground to get back to bag, when fielder catches the ball she then slaps runner in the back of the head as she attempts to get back on base. Umpire calls runner out. Is this obstruction/interference ?

Answer
Hi Dwight,

"intentionally trips runner" you're kidding me! even if unintentional....

Obstruction, delayed dead ball, on tag.....dead ball, award runner 3rd base

Intentional trip...F5 is gone

HTBT...."slaps runner in the back of the head"  F5 is really gone.


Even though obstruction is a judgment call asking the umpire why they didn't call obstruction might result in the "P" word being used.  I would also discuss why F5 was not ejected for USC.

Mark