Blocking a base.

[devilsadvocate]

The Rules for blocking a base. (OBR)

1. Without possession of the ball, no fielder has the right to block the base. Period. *one exception (see below)

2. A fielder may be in the basepath of the runner if a throw is close enough and the fielder must be in that spot to field the ball. However, that does not give the fielder the right to block the base, except for (see exception 1).

3. If the fielder has possession of the ball, he is completely in his rights to block the base. No obstruction shall be called on a fielder with possession of the ball, except in cases of intentional obstruction.

*Exception 1: As noted in J/R, he may block the base if his block is a fluid, continuous result of his effort to glove the ball. And reaching away from one's body and blocking the base with the body are seperate, discontinusous acts to block the base, and therefore obstruction.


What should I add, or take away? Or do I just need a few more exceptions?


[Edited by devilsadvocate on Nov 2nd, 2001 at 08:52 AM]