Sit. 1: Runner on 2nd. Pitcher attempts pickoff throw to SS. Can the SS block the base with his leg or any other part of his body WITHOUT the ball to prevent the runner from getting back to the bag? If not, is there a penalty?

Sit. 2: 1 out. Runner on 1st attempts to steal. Batter interferes with catcher's throw. Is this immediate dead ball? Is the batter out and runner goes back to 1st, or is the runner ruled out?

Trigger,

Sitch 1: If the F6 is in the "act of fielding" the pick-off throw, he may be in a position that blocks the runner's access to the base. If he is not, and hinders the runner return to the base, he is guilty of obstruction - possibly Type A obstruction, which would result in the obstructed runner being awarded 3B. He is also liable to receive some cleats or a shoulder to his ankle (or whatever) with some degree of force. Whether he was in the act of fielding and whether the runner was hindered is solely a matter of umpire judgement.

Sitch 2: Delayed dead ball. If the catcher's throw results in the stealing runner being retired, the play stands and the interference is disregarded. If the runner is not retired on the throw, the batter is out and the runner returns.

JM

If the batter just struck out, then the runner is out too.

Luke,

Right you are.

JM

<b>possibly Type A obstruction</b>

On a pickoff attempt, the runner is being directly played upon. Definitely Type A, runner to 3B.

greymule,

If the obstruction occurred after the pitcher had released the ball, I would most certainly concur - Type A, minimum award of 3B.

If the obstruction were to occur prior to the F1 releasing the throw, I would be more inclined towards Type B, runner protected back to 2B.

"Probably Type A" would have been better wording in my original post.

JM

It depends on the rules code.

NCAA (and LL, I think) prohibit blocking the base until the fielder has the ball.

OBR and FED allow it if the fielder is in the act of making a play.

And they way I have always understood it is, "in the act of a play" is if the fielder has to go low to catch the throw then it is nothing. If he drops to a knee and catches the ball up higher, like his head (strictly judgement there), then it is obstruction.