OFFICIAL BASEBALL RULES

Rule 6.01signal obstruction in the same manner that he calls “Time,”with both hands overhead. The ball is immediately dead whenthis signal is given; however, should a thrown ball be in flightbefore the obstruction is called by the umpire, the runners areto be awarded such bases on wild throws as they would havebeen awarded had not obstruction occurred. On a play where arunner was trapped between second and third and obstructedby the third baseman going into third base while the throw is inflight from the shortstop, if such throw goes into the dugout theobstructed runner is to be awarded home base. Any other runnerson base in this situation would also be awarded two basesfrom the base they last legally touched before obstruction wascalled.(2) If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the playshall proceed until no further action is possible. Theumpire shall then call “Time” and impose such penalties,if any, as in his judgment will nullify the act of obstruction.Rule 6.01(h)(2) Comment (Rule 7.06(b) Comment): UnderRule 6.01(h)(2) (Rule 7.06(b)) when the ball is not dead onobstruction and an obstructed runner advances beyond the basewhich, in the umpire’s judgment, he would have been awardedbecause of being obstructed, he does so at his own peril andmay be tagged out. This is a judgment call.NOTE: The catcher, without the ball in his possession, has noright to block the pathway of the runner attempting to score.The base line belongs to the runner and the catcher should bethere only when he is fielding a ball or when he already has theball in his hand.Rule 6.01(h) Comment (Rule 2.00 (Obstruction ) Comment):If a fielder is about to receive a thrown ball and if the ball is inflight directly toward and near enough to the fielder so he mustoccupy his position to receive the ball he may be considered“in the act of fielding a ball.” It is entirely up to the judgmentof the umpire as to whether a fielder is in the act of fielding aball. After a fielder has made an attempt to field a ball andmissed, he can no longer be in the “act of fielding” the ball.68