A fielder's improper action in interfering with a baserunner's attempt to advance or return to a base. When a fielder who does not have a right to be in the runner's path has contact with the runner, or grabs or pushes or trips the runner, or forces the runner to run around him, or otherwise impedes the runner's progress, obstruction has occurred.
Definition[]
In determining when a baserunner and fielder conflict on the basepath, there is a "right of way" order:
- A fielder who has the ball, or is attempting to field the batted ball (assuming no other fielder has yet touched, or been touched by, the ball).
- The baserunner
- All other fielders (including those who are awaiting a throw, or have just made a throw)
In the rule book, obstruction and the associated penalties are defined under rule 6.01(h) and subsequent paragraphs. Briefly, in all cases the runner is awarded the next base (even if he was attempting to retreat to a previous base), and depending on the specific case, he may be awarded additional bases if, in the umpire's opinion, he would have gained additional bases had the obstruction not occurred. If the defense was attempting to make a play on the obstructed baserunner, the ball is dead; the obstructed runner advances, and the umpires may award bases to other baserunners that might have gained additional bases had the obstruction not occurred. Otherwise, the umpires shall allow the play to proceed until action stops, at which point time is called, and then the obstructed runner is awarded one or more bases.
A particular case in which the defense must take care is during a rundown play, In executing such a play, when a fielder with the ball is chasing the runner, once he throws to another fielder, he can no longer be in the runner's path. If the runner immediately reverses direction and makes contact with the fielder who just got rid of the ball, the fielder has committed obstruction.
Obstruction at home[]
A special obstruction rule exists for plays at home plate. The catcher must always allow the runner a lane to the plate; this may be the inside or outside portion as the catcher chooses, but there must be a lane. A catcher who completely blocks the plate has committed obstruction, and the runner shall be called safe provided that he made a reasonable effort to avoid colliding with the catcher. This rule applies whether the catcher has the ball or not.
Scoring[]
Obstruction is scored as an error on the fielder who committed the obstruction. The official scorer has the option of not charging an error if, in his/her opinion, the play would have come out the same without the obstruction call.
A well-known example[]
This occurred in Game 3 of the 2013 World Series, between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals. In the bottom of the 9th inning with a tie score and one out, Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina stood at third base, with pinch-hitter Allan Craig at second. Jon Jay hit a ground ball to second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who threw the ball to catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia in time for Saltalamacchia to tag out Molina. Saltalamacchia then spotted the slow-footed Craig trying for third, and he threw to third baseman Will Middlebrooks to try for an inning-ending double play. But the throw was wide; Middlebrooks dove across the basepath for it, but only managed to deflect the ball into left field. Craig, who had stopped at third, tried for home, but tripped over Middlebrooks's legs. He got back up and headed for the plate while Boston left fielder Daniel Nava retrieved the ball. Nava's throw to home was in time to put Craig out, but home plate umpire Dana DeMuth called Craig safe because of Middlebrooks' obstruction at third. The call made it a walk-off win for the Cardinals.