How do I rule obstruction?

Obstruction (8-5-2) is when a fielder who doesn't have the ball and isn't making an initial play on a batted ball impedes a batter-runner or runner who is legally running the bases.

1. Call "obstruction" and signal a delayed dead ball. Play continues.
2. When play ends, award the obstructed runner the base you judge she would have reached without the obstruction. There's no automatic award: the award removes the effect of the obstruction, in proportion to how much she was impeded.
3. Between the two bases where she was obstructed, she's protected and can't be put out (with some exceptions). If she is put out there, call dead ball and make your award.

Initial play (2-46-3a, new for 2027): once a fair batted ball has touched any fielder, including the pitcher, it's a deflected ball. A second fielder going after it is no longer making an initial play.