The defense standing in front of the runner is to the runner's advantage because of the obstruction call.
Unless the ball comes to that defensive player, the runner ought to run into the defense... now they can't be put out.
I've seen this in adult leagues where it was an atagonistic thing the defensive player was doing to upset the runner (childishly stupid).
"Can you get the first baseman to move out of the basepath?"
"No. But you can run over him and I will give you and obstruction call."
