44 the pitcher’s plate to a base to catch a runner goes into a stand or a bench, or over or through a field fence or backstop. The ball is dead. (i) One base, if the batter becomes a runner on a ball four, or strike three in “O”Zone play, when the pitch passes the catcher and lodges in the umpire’s mask or paraphernalia. NOTE: If the batter becomes a runner on a wild pitch which entitles the runners to advance one base, the batter-runner shall be entitled to first base only. 7.06—When obstruction occurs, the umpire shall call or signal “Obstruction.” (a) If a play is being made on the obstructed runner, or if the batter-runner is obstructed before touching first base, the ball is dead and all runners shall advance without liability to be put out, to the bases they would have reached, in the umpire’s judgment, if there had been no obstruction. The obstructed runner shall be awarded at least one base beyond the base last legally touched by such runner, before the obstruction. Any preceding runners forced to advance by the award of bases as the penalty for obstruction shall advance without liability to be put out. COMMENT: When a play is being made on an obstructed runner, the umpire shall signal obstruction in the same manner that he calls “Time,” with both hands overhead. The ball is immediately dead when this signal is given; however, should a thrown ball be in flight before the obstruction is called by the umpire, the runners are to be awarded such bases on wild throws as they would have been awarded had not obstruction occurred. On a play where a runner was trapped between second and third and obstructed by the third baseman going into third base while the throw is in flight from the shortstop, if such throw goes into the dugout the obstructed runner is to be awarded home base. Any other runners on base in this situation would also be awarded two bases from the base they last legally touched before obstruction was called. (b) If no play is being made on the obstructed runner, the play shall proceed until no further action is possible. The umpire shall then call “Time” and impose such penalties, if any as in that umpire’s judgment will nullify the act of obstruction. COMMENT: Under 7.06(b) when the ball is not dead on an obstruction call and an obstructed runner advances beyond the base which, in the umpire’s judgment, he would have been awarded because of being obstructed, he does so at his own peril and may be tagged out. This is a judgment call. NOTE: The catcher, without the ball in his possession, has no right to block the path of the runner attempting to score. The base line belongs to the runner and the catcher should be there only when he is fielding a ball or when he has the ball in his hand. 7.07– (“O”Zone Play Only) - If, with a runner on third base and trying to score by means of a squeeze play or a steal, the catcher or any other fielder steps on, or in front of home base without possession of the ball, or touches the batter or his bat, the pitcher shall be charged with a balk, the batter shall be awarded first base on the interference and the ball is dead. 7.08–Any runner is out when– (a) (1) the runner runs more than three feet away from a direct line between bases to avoid being tagged, unless such action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball; or (2) after touching first base the runner leaves the baseline, obviously abandoning all effort to touch the next base. (b) Intentionally interferes with a thrown ball; or hinders a fielder attempting to make a play on a batted ball; COMMENT: A runner who is adjudged to have hindered a fielder who is attempting to make a play on a batted ball is out whether it was
