An obstructed runner returning to a base is awarded:

• A. The base to which he was returning.
• B. A mandatory two bases.
• C. A minimum of one base beyond his position on base when the obstruction occurred.
• D. There is no award for an obstructed runner returning to a base.

Answer: (C)

When a fielder illegally obstructs a runner, the play is ruled as if the obstruction didn’t happen for the purposes of advancement—the runner is awarded the base he would have reached. Because the runner is moving away from his current base when obstructed, the rule guarantees at least one base beyond that base. In practice, this means if a runner is obstructed while between bases, he gets to the base he would have reached had there been no obstruction, which is at minimum one base farther than where he was. If the obstruction occurred while the runner would have advanced farther on the play, he may be awarded more than one base, but the minimum award is one base beyond his position at the time of obstruction.