Blocking a Base

[BigBlue4u]

I read somewhere that in high school, a fielder cannot block any part of a base without the ball. A close friend, and a pretty good umpire, says the fielder, without the ball, only has to give the runner a part of the base.  Can anyone help me?  Sr. Azul?  If possible, cite a reference please.  Thank you.

[Senor Azul]

The obstruction rules for FED don't go into a lot of detail. They are

2-22-1, 2 and 3

8-1-1e, 8-3-1c and 8-3-2

and a couple mentions in rule 5 

Here are a couple of case plays that might help--

8.3.2 Situation G:  F1 attempts to pick off R1 at first base. As F3 is about to receive the throw, drops a knee and (a) blocks the entire base prior to possessing the ball or (b) blocks part of the base prior to possessing the ball or (c) blocks the entire base while being in possession of the ball. Ruling:  Obstruction in (a); legal in (b) and (c).

Also see case play 8.3.2 Situation C where the ruling tells us that "F2 cannot be in the base path without possession of the ball, nor can F2 be in the base path waiting for a ball to arrive without giving the runner some access to home plate."

[noumpere]

There's some case interp that contains wording similar to "The fielder need only give the runner some access to part of the base, even if it's not the part the runner wants"

[Senor Azul]

You are right about that case play, Mr. noumpere. You actually posted that case play in its entirety in May of 2022. The play is 8.3.2 Situation L. So rather than steal your thunder I won't post it and let you bring it forward to this thread.

Thanks for the reminder of this particular case play. It does give the OP exactly what he is looking for.

[noumpere]

I am traveling this week and away from my materials.  Feel free to post it -- or, just leave it for the OP to look up -- who knows what else he might find.

[BigBlue4u]

Thanks to everyone, especially Sr. Azul.  This is a great website!!!!

[The Man in Blue]

On 11/6/2023 at 8:43 PM, Senor Azul said:

The obstruction rules for FED don't go into a lot of detail. They are

2-22-1, 2 and 3

8-1-1e, 8-3-1c and 8-3-2

and a couple mentions in rule 5 

Here are a couple of case plays that might help--

8.3.2 Situation G:  F1 attempts to pick off R1 at first base. As F3 is about to receive the throw, drops a knee and (a) blocks the entire base prior to possessing the ball or (b) blocks part of the base prior to possessing the ball or (c) blocks the entire base while being in possession of the ball. Ruling:  Obstruction in (a); legal in (b) and (c).

Also see case play 8.3.2 Situation C where the ruling tells us that "F2 cannot be in the base path without possession of the ball, nor can F2 be in the base path waiting for a ball to arrive without giving the runner some access to home plate."

 

On 11/6/2023 at 9:01 PM, noumpere said:

There's some case interp that contains wording similar to "The fielder need only give the runner some access to part of the base, even if it's not the part the runner wants"

 

This is one of the top five most egregious and flagrant disregards of their own rules and values (player safety) that NFHS engages in.  It may be number one.

[MadMax]

On 11/8/2023 at 9:25 PM, The Man in Blue said:

This is one of the top five most egregious and flagrant disregards of their own rules and values

<scsm> 

Jewelry was… 

Eye-black now is… 

Wrist-readers on belt remains…  

</scsm>

[834k3r]

19 minutes ago, MadMax said:

<scsm> 

Jewelry was… 

Eye-black now is… 

Wrist-readers on belt remains…  

</scsm>

[BigBlue4u]

On 11/8/2023 at 8:25 PM, The Man in Blue said:

There's some case interp that contains wording similar to "The fielder need only give the runner some access to part of the base, even if it's not the part the runner wants"

8.3.2 SIT L Case Book.

[The Man in Blue]

Going to save my broken record . . .  

[BLWizzRanger]

Going to save my broken record . . .  

Well, if all you do is keep gluing it back together, does it look like a record anymore?

Sent from my SM-F721U1 using Tapatalk

[SeeingEyeDog]

On 11/15/2023 at 12:41 PM, 834k3r said:

Who is...Muttley? I'll take Hanna-Barbera characters for $800, please Beaks Trebek...

~Dawg