If the catcher is throwing a runner out at third where does the 3rd baseman have to be? We had a play like this today bang bang play. Runner slides into 3rd takes feet out from under 3rd, he falls on runner tagging him. Runner never touches bag. What is the call? The call today was the 3rd baseman was blocking the bag.
Not an umpire but believe runner is out. Third baseman has a right to be in fair territory with feet in front of the bag while receiving the throw. That would have to be some big feet to block the entire bag any way. LOL.
Incorrect. The third baseman has to have the ball in his possession to block the runner. Otherwise its obstruction.
Agree. I believe the defensive player has to have the ball in his possession in order to block or obstruct baseline on a base advance. This applies to all the bases, including home. BUT I have seen a first baseman block out a slide back to first in a pick off move and get the base runner out.???? Is there a difference between advancing and returning to a base??
The original post indicated that he fell on the runner tagging him, doesn't that suggest he had the ball, and wouldn't that give him the right to be in front of the bag for the tag?
Incorrect. The third baseman has to have the ball in his possession to block the runner. Otherwise its obstruction.
The fielder is allowed to go into the basepath to make a play on the ball. A runner who makes contact with a fielder attempting to field the ball (thrown balls are included) is guilty of interference if he's not in the process of making a legal slide. As described, it sounds like neither obstruction or interference should be called here, so runner should be out having been tagged off the bag.
Thrown balls are not the same as a batted ball. The runner has to avoid contact with the fielder at all costs on a batted ball. If incidental contact is made on a thrown ball you have nothing.
If a runner is tagged out while off the base because a fielder blocked his access to a base without possession of the baseball, it is obstruction and the runner is safe.
Correct but blocking a base without the ball and incidental contact are not the same. If I have a runner on first and the pitcher throws over and the first baseman blocks the bag, that runner will be put on second.
Play at third
Posted - 07/12/2013 : 15:09:12
