If the penalty for catcher's obstruction on a batter is enforced, which outcomes may occur?

• A. The batter shall be awarded first base.
• B. Runners attempting to advance shall be awarded the base attempted.
• C. Runners not attempting to advance will be returned to the base occupied at the time of pitch, unless forced to advance because of the batter's award of first base.
• D. All of the above.

Answer: (D)

When catcher's obstruction on the batter is enforced, the play is handled to restore fairness to the batter and base runners. The batter is awarded first base because the catcher impeded the batter’s opportunity to reach safely. At the same time, any runners who were attempting to advance on the obstructed play are credited with reaching the base they were trying to reach. For runners who were not trying to advance, they are returned to the base they occupied at the time of the pitch, unless the batter’s award of first base creates a forced situation requiring them to advance. If the batter’s award to first base creates a force that pushes runners ahead, they would be required to advance as needed.

So this single enforcement can produce all of those outcomes: batter goes to first, runners who were trying to advance are awarded their base, and other runners are returned or forced forward as the situation dictates. That’s why all of the listed outcomes can occur.