Situation #5: Obstruction

          Lots of interesting plays can happen at first base. One of the most interesting and, often,  most controversial, occurs when the pitcher is covering first.

            The pitcher will sometimes move directly from the mound to the base to take the first baseman’s throw. Other times, however, as in this play, the pitcher will be moving up the baseline with the runner. Is this legal? Is the pitcher allowed to run in the batter-runner’s pathway impeding his progress to first?

            The key elements to consider in this play are the position of the pitcher and the status of the ball. The pitcher is not allowed to impede the batter-runner’s progress if he is not in the act of fielding a thrown ball. So, if the ball has left the first baseman’s hand and is in flight toward the base, the pitcher has a right to be in that position. He is considered in the act of fielding a thrown ball. In this play, the pitcher is guilty of obstruction since the ball has not left his hand.

            The umpire should signal obstruction and award the batter-runner first base.