That's Interference!

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

Exactly; there is not. You make an initial judgment based solely on the basis of the play at the time of the obstruction, and you ignore subsequent alternate actions that aren't related to the obstruction.

Well, to me, that goes complete 180 against the "will be awarded the base or bases which would have been reached, in the umpire's judgment, had there been no obstruction" application.

You're essentially saying that a runner could get different protection based upon when the outfielder muffs the play. If the obstruction happens before the ball rolls through F8's legs, she gets protected only to first base, but if the obstruction happens after F8 muffs it, she gets protected to third. That doesn't make sense to me. And, frankly, I don't see how a base umpire can watch to determine the status of the fielder and ball the moment the runner is obstructed.