Obstruction
t’s not the first change, but it is the most significant. First, a general history is necessary to make the point of the NFHS clear.
The story begins in the OBR.
2.00 Obstruction: Obstruction is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of any runner. [my emphasis]
It’s important to understand that "fielding the ball" is not limited to fielding a batted ball. Waiting for a throw to arrive is also "fielding." That's made clear in the casebook comment, which is unchanged for nearly 60 years:
If a fielder is about to receive a thrown ball and if the ball is in flight directly toward and near enough to the fielder so he must occupy his position to receive the ball he may be considered "in the act of fielding a ball." It is entirely up to the judgment of the umpire as to whether a fielder is in the act of fielding a ball.
Continued...
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