In which scenario is obstruction not ruled?

In the context of obstruction rules in baseball, obstruction is typically defined as an act by a fielder that hinders or impedes a runner's ability to advance. When a fielder is in possession of the ball, the situation is treated differently because the fielder has a legitimate right to the area they occupy, and any contact made is considered a part of normal play.

In this scenario, if the fielder has the ball and is in the process of making a play, the runner must respect that the fielder is entitled to occupy that space. The obstruction rule is designed to protect the runner from unfair interference but acknowledges that the fielder's right to field the ball takes precedence when they are in possession. Therefore, there is no basis for declaring obstruction when the fielder has the ball, as they are acting within the rules of the game.

In contrast, situations where the fielder blocks a base without the ball, is positioned in a way that is not in line with normal play, or fakes a tag involve actions that disrupt the runner's path without justifiable cause, and such scenarios can warrant an obstruction ruling.