What occurs if a runner is obstructed and the obstruction happens after the runner has rounded third base?

When a runner is obstructed after rounding third base, the rules of baseball state that the runner is awarded home. This is because the runner has already reached a critical point in the base path where they are in the final advance towards scoring. The obstruction interfered with the runner's ability to continue their progress to home plate, and as a result, the runner is granted the opportunity to complete their run and score.

This ruling is designed to uphold fairness and protect the runner from any additional impediment that could prevent them from scoring after they have already demonstrated their intent to reach the home plate. Scoring is a fundamental goal of the game, and by awarding home on obstruction occurring past third base, it emphasizes the importance of allowing players to safely complete their runs.

In contrast, if the obstruction had occurred while the runner was still approaching third base or earlier, the ruling might differ, as the runner's progress would not be considered as certain.