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Originally Posted by njdevs00cup
The awarding of bases is a at the umpire's discretion and not automatic. So if the obstruction is between 1B and 2B and in my judgement, the runner lost two steps going to 2B, should he be called safe if he is thrown at by a step at 3B?
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That's hard to say. You'd have to determine if the runner rounded second in one continuous movement and decide if the obstruction hindered that progression, and if so, by exactly how much. Evans does a nice job of explaining type B obstruction.
Customs and Usage: Since the ball is not dead on this type obstruction, the runner has the right to advance at his own peril. At the time of obstruction, the umpire should point laterally and verbally call..."That's Obstruction."' At that time, the umpire should decide which base the runner would most likely reach safely and protect him to that base. If the runner advances beyond that projected base, he does so at his own risk and is subject to being put out. Fielders may obstruct runners without actually touching them. For instance, an infielder who is not in the act of fielding a thrown ball cannot stand in the runner's projected base path forcing him to "go around" the fielder to avoid contact. This would be obstruction.
Tim.