Can a fielder block the base without possession of the ball?

NFHS rules require the fielder to be in possession of the ball before attempting to block the base. The call for violating this rule is obstruction. NFHS 2-23-3: The fielder without possession of the ball denies access to the base the runner is attempting to achieve.

What is the fielder obstruction rule?

Obstruction describes an act by a fielder, who is not in possession of the ball or in the process of fielding it, that impedes the baserunner's progress.

Can a fielder block a base with his foot?

Blocking a portion of the bag with a foot is obstruction. You can change up this scenario in a dozens of ways, move it to any base, and you get the same result. The point is, a fielder without possession of the ball cannot deny access to a base to a runner advancing or retreating.

Can a fielder obstruct a runner?

If the catcher is fielding the ball and any fielder, including the pitcher, obstructs a runner going to first base, “obstruction” shall be called and the base runner awarded first base. runner after having been deflected by a fielder, the umpire shall not declare the runner out for being touched by a batted ball.

What is the obstruction rule in high school baseball?

2-22-1 Obstruction is an act (intentional or unintentional, as well as physical or verbal) by a fielder, any member of the defensive team or its team personnel that hinders a runner or changes the pattern of play as in 5-1-3 and 8-3-2; or when a catcher or fielder hinders a batter as in 5-1-2b, 8-1-1e, 8-3-1c and 8-3-2 ...

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Can a first baseman be called for obstruction?

A player who dives unsuccessfully for a ground ball and remains on the ground, delaying the progress of a runner, could be guilty of obstruction, as could a first baseman who stands at the inside corner of first base despite it being clear that no play will be made at first, causing the batter to adjust his/her path to ...

Can a fielder stand in the baseline?

- Fielders without the ball often stand on a base or in the base path. Doing so does not make them guilty of obstruction. They're not obstructing unless a runner's advance or path is altered.

Who has right of way base runner or fielder?

Fielders have a right to occupy any space needed to catch or field a batted ball and also must not be hindered while attempting to field a thrown ball. If any member of the batting team (including the coaches) interferes with a fielder's right of way to field a batted ball, the batter shall be declared out.

Who has the right to the baseline runner or fielder?

A fielder who is making a play on a batted ball is "protected" from interference by a base runner. In other words, the fielder gets the right-of-way in cases where a base runner converges on a fielder who is making a play on a batted ball.

What happens when a fielder interferes with a runner?

The rule provides that a runner must vacate any space needed by a fielder to make a play on a batted ball, unless the runner has contact with a legally occupied base when the interference occurs. In this case, the runner should not be called out unless the hindrance is intentional.

Can a fielder block the base in baseball?

AG: Players in the field can block any base as long as they are holding the ball or are in the process of fielding the ball. To do so without those conditions could result in the blocking player being called for obstruction and the base being awarded to the runner.

Can a fielder push a runner off the base?

- "Funny enough, there is NO RULE that says a fielder can't push a runner off base. However, it is enforced that way.

Can a fielder stand outside the boundary?

19.5. 2 A fielder who is not in contact with the ground is considered to be grounded beyond the boundary if his/her final contact with the ground, before his/her first contact with the ball after it has been delivered by the bowler, was not entirely within the boundary. 19.6.

What's the difference between obstruction and interference?

Obstruction is not the same as interference; obstruction is typically committed by a fielder against a base runner, while interference is typically committed by a base runner against a fielder, or the batter against the catcher.

Can the catcher block the baseline?

The catcher is not permitted to block the runner's path to the plate unless he is in possession of the ball, though blocking the path of the runner in a legitimate attempt to receive a throw is not considered a violation.

What is classed as obstruction in football?

Impeding the progress of an opponent means moving into the opponent's path to obstruct, block, slow down or force a change of direction when the ball is not within playing distance of either player.

Can a fielder tag a runner with an empty glove?

For a legitimate tag, the fielder must have the ball held securely in either the hand or the glove. Nowhere else. With the ball held securely in hand or glove, the fielder can, in a force situation, touch (tag) a base with any portion of his body, including his gloved hand, foot, non-glove hand, and so forth.

Can you run out of the baseline to avoid a tag?

Rule 5.09 (b) (1) reads, “Any runner is out when he runs more than three-feet away from his base path to avoid being tagged unless his action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball.

Does a runner have to stay in the baseline?

established. The runner can run to the outfield fence and back if they so wish. A practical example of this is when a runner is rounding a base, they often stray more than three feet away from the line connecting the two bases. This rule is fully explained in Rule 7.08(a) (1) of the Little League Rules and Regulations.

Can a runner run into the first baseman?

Running lane violation – When the batter runner is advancing to first base he/she is required to run in foul territory. In the event the runner physically or visually interferes with the throw, catch, or the defense, over or in fair territory, the runner will be guilty of interference and called out.

Can a fielder intentionally drop a ball?

Intentional drop rule

This rule likewise prevents a fielder from deliberately dropping a ball and thereby achieving a double or triple play. If an umpire invokes this rule, the drop is ruled a catch, the ball is dead, and no baserunner may advance.

Can a fielder stand in front of the stumps?

No fielder may be standing on or with any part of his body over the pitch (the central strip of the playing area between the wickets). If his body casts a shadow over the pitch, the shadow must not move until after the batter has played (or had the opportunity to play) at the ball.

What happens if first baseman blocks runner?

Ruling: This is interference, the ball is immediately declared “dead,” the runner is declared out and the batter is awarded first base. If there had been other runners on base, they would return to the base they occupied at the time of the pitch, unless they are forced to advance by the batter being awarded first base.

Can a fielder balk?

There is no penalty for it, but thats the rule usually cited when someone balks it. When the ball is put in play at the start of, or during a game, all fielders other than the catcher shall be on fair territory.

What if fielder touches boundary before catching?

It is important to note that as long as the fielder's first touch of the ball is inside the boundary line, they are allowed to finish the catch however they like, provided their feet are not grounded with the ball over the boundary.