Obstruction?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by steveshane67

not to hijack the thread, but I was under the impression that you would only award a base if the runner actually proceeded to run to said base and the obstruction resulted in the runner being put out. Meaning if the runner makes no further attempt to advance after the contact with the fielder, then it would be awfully hard for an umpire to judge that the obstruction caused the runner not to reach the next base (obviously extreme cases like a fielder tackling a runner exist).

This criterion is not part of the rule or its usual interpretation. The rule uses language like "hinders the runner in his attempt to run the bases," and running the bases does not always mean advancing to the next base.

For example: R2, batter singles. R2 is obstructed by F5 rounding third, falls down, and returns to 3B. This is textbook OBS, and the runner must be awarded home.