When a player fakes a throw to first and a distraction causes a runner to advance, what is the ruling?

In the situation described, a player faking a throw can lead to unintended consequences that affect the action on the field. When a player deceives an opponent, generally speaking, if a distraction causes a runner to advance on the bases, it may be determined that the faking player has interfered with the natural progression of the play.

Obstruction is a call made when a defensive player hinders or impedes a runner's progress, regardless of whether the ball is in play or not. In this case, the distraction caused by the fake throw can be interpreted as interference with the runner's ability to advance legitimately. Thus, the appropriate ruling in this context would be that obstruction is called, leading to the runner being given the benefit of the advancement as if they would have successfully reached the next base without the interference.

This ruling reinforces the principle that players must respect the integrity of play and the rights of opponents during the game. Consequently, the focus is on ensuring fair play, which is why obstruction is called in this scenario.