Quote:Intention is irrelevant with obstruction calls. It was the correct call.

But just when we thought we had seen every possible ending to a baseball game...

Technically yes the correct call was made. But a couple of things came to my mind in a situation like this.

 

1. The defender has to get up at some point during the play.

 

2. (Random not related to this series) What if a defender is injured in the process of the obstruction? 

 

3. The runner has to assume responsibility of where the defender is to make a reasonable attempt to avoid being obstructed from getting to the next base.

 

Also the runner pushed Middlebrooks down.

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