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Originally Posted by dnorthen
I see this many times on pick-off attempts and want to make sure I'm thinking right about this.
I have been told, perhaps incorrectly, that the runner must be allowed access to the base when diving back into it. Many times the fielder will plant his foot along the inside of the base and the diving fielder has little base area to touch, many times ending up touching the fielder's foot, not the base on the throw. Should this be treated as obstruction? If so, would an extra base be given as a penalty or only allow the safety back to base he dives back to?
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All 3 codes now basically state, if you do not have the ball, you may not block the base. So first, you must determine if the fielder is in possession (not receiving, but possession) of the ball.
If he has possession, then he can block access all he wants. If he does not, then in OBR & NCAA, you would award the runner the base that he was returning to. In FED, you would award the next base.
So a blocked pick-off at 1st without the ball:
OBR & NCAA the award is 1st base.
FED the award would be 2nd base.