Obstruction or Interference? Tricky call

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by 3appleshigh

I think I like a train wreak here. The ball was obviously coming into the way, the runner made no attempt to move out of the way, one way or another, Pitcher made no attemt to obstuct the runner, just playing the ball. I think Train wreak play stands as an out.

In this situation, the runner is not obligated to change his path to the next base, since the fielder already had the opportunity to field the ball, and as BigUmp stated, the ball deflected more than a "step and a reach" away from him. Once that occurs, the fielder is no longer afforded protection. The correct call is Obstruction.