Defensive Obstruction?

Question

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Mark,
The runners foot as off the bas 5-10 second. She didn't reestablish her position on the base because she was waiting for a call from the umpire. I realize this is not a valid excuse for not immediatley touching the 2nd base.

There were no other runners, so nothing else was going on offensively. I thought the umpire would call the obstruction and a dead ball as you suggested. Thanks you for your answer.

Followup To

Question -
Dr. Ambrose,
I am the Coach of a U14 fastpitch team. We play ASA rules. In a recent game my runner was safe in stealing second base. The shorstop then  pushed my base runner's foot of the base with her glove hand. The ball was in the glove at the time she pushed the base runner's foot off of the base. The base runner wasn't immediatly called out.The baserunner was then subsequently called out after she didn't place her foot back on the base. When I questioned the call, the umpire stated that he gave the base runner an ooprtunity to retouch the base and when she didn't do so he called her out. Is this correct call? Thank You

Answer -
Hi Robert,

I am at a loss as to why we have an out without seeing the play.

If I understand the play a runner going into 2nd was safe and on the base, she is not legally entitled to that base.  She was pushed by the defensive player off the base (not her own momentum).  Because she was pushed as a field umpire I'm probably going to call a quick time (if nothing else offensively is going on, to let everyone know she was pushed), to stop any further play on her and allow her to re-establish her position.  I could use obstruction (a delayed dead ball) and get away with it.  I'm not going to penalize the offense if they have a runner a few feet from home.

How long could she have been off the base? Are we talking a few seconds? Why didn't she re-establish postion within a reasonable period of time? That's what I don't understand.

Mark

Answer
Hi Robert,

There is a typo in my 1st answer...it should read she IS legally entitled to that base.  Sorry for typing too fast on that one.  If i can I'll change it on the original question so that there is no confusion.

If there was no push she wouldn't be off base.  I'm going to protect her in re-establishing her postion.  I believe that's the correct and fair call.

Mark