Obstruction rule
During the meeting, committee members clarified the obstruction rule.
Obstruction occurs when a defensive player, neither in possession of the ball nor in the act of fielding a batted ball, impedes a batter's attempt to make contact with a pitch or impedes the progress of any runner who is legally running bases on a live ball. It can be intentional or unintentional.
It is obstruction when a defensive player, while not in possession of the ball, does one of the following:
Blocks any part of the leading edge of first, second or third base or home plate (as defined).
Otherwise blocks the runner from advancing or returning to a base.
The defensive player is not considered obstructing if the player is in possession of the ball or if the movement or position of the defensive player did not impede or alter the runner's path to a base or home plate.
Notes:
Once in possession of the ball, the defensive player can be positioned between the runner and the base/plate.
Obstruction may be ruled even though there is no physical contact.
Obstruction can occur on a force or tag play.
Blocking the leading edge of the base constitutes obstruction unless the runner's ability to reach the base is not hindered.
If the base runner would have been out, regardless of the defensive player's movement or positioning, which had no effect on the play, the runner would remain out, and the obstruction would be ignored.