Fielders can block any base as long as they are holding the ball or are in the process of fielding it. Without such criteria, the blocking player may be penalized for obstruction and the base may be granted to the runner. However, there is no rule that requires second basemen to leave their position when a steal attempt is made.
In modern baseball, the second baseman is usually the only infielder who does not wear a glove. Because of this, most managers will tell their second baseman to stay put if a steal attempt is made because they don't want him to get injured by running into a swinging bat. However, some managers do not mind if their second basemen moves around so long as they are giving signs that they are still playing defense.
The old rules allowed any defender other than the catcher to leave his position to try to steal a base. Under these rules, a second baseman would have been required by law to leave his position if a steal attempt was made because he could be held liable for any injury caused by a sliding batter.
Today, coaches often tell their second basemen to stay put during steals because they don't want them to get hurt by being hit by a thrown ball or colliding with a moving runner.
The rule basically states that if a fielder is making a play at a base and is in control of the ball or waiting for a thrown ball, he may block the base. A block can be done by kicking it with the foot that is not holding the ball.
There are two main types of blocks: legal and illegal. An illegal block would be one where the blocker uses his leg to prevent a base runner from reaching a base. This could include using your foot or any other part of your body except your hands. A legal block would be one where the blocker uses his arm alone to stop a base runner. This could include punching the ball away or throwing it to one of his teammates.
In order for a block to be legal, four things must be true: the blocker must have control of the ball; the blocker must be positioned in fair territory; the blocker must make a reasonable effort to tag the base; and finally, the blocker cannot be attempting to steal the base (unless he has been given permission to do so). If any of these conditions are not met, then the block will be called an illegal action and a base runner will be awarded first base.
If the defensive player has possession of the ball, she may obstruct the base or base route in order to apply the tag for an out. When there is an obstacle, the umpire permits play to continue but promptly announces obstruction and signals for a delayed dead ball. If the defensive player does not have possession of the ball, she cannot block the base path.
In soccer, the only way a defender can stop a forward from scoring is if she manages to tackle him. If he gets past her, then she has no more legal options left. However, if the defender causes enough confusion with her challenge that the referee gives a free kick instead, this is known as "parking the bus".
In basketball, it is possible for a defender to block a shot if she is positioned between the shooter and the basket when he shoots. For example, if a shooter aims at the center of the hoop and a defender covers the open side, then she can block the shot by standing in the way of the ball. However, if the shooter has time to turn around and shoot behind her, then she cannot block his shot.
Softball is played on a field where there are two bases, one on each end of the field. A runner can advance any number of players during her initial progression toward first base. She must however, eventually reach first base or be put out.
Even though the catcher/fielder is ready to receive the throw, he cannot block the plate unless he has the ball in his glove. In other words, he can't stop traffic by holding up his hand. However, there are times when the catcher may have no choice but to block the plate. For example, if the batter is standing right on it and about to be hit by a pitch, then it is necessary for the catcher to get out of the way.
In addition to these rules that all catchers must follow, they are also allowed several exceptions to them. For example, they are permitted to block the plate with their hands if they are receiving a thrown ball and don't have time to put on a mitt before the batter reaches base. They are also permitted to block the plate if they are certain that no one is out at home plate or another person is able to catch the ball before it hits the ground. Finally, catchers are allowed to block the plate if someone else is in danger of being injured by a thrown ball.
In conclusion, yes, a catcher can block the plate in high school baseball.
The hitter is shielded from first base, and runners who are compelled to advance are shielded as well. Because the ball is alive, the batter-runner and other runners may move beyond the base from where they are protected, but only at their own risk. If a runner is forced out of a base because he has no legal path to it, the batter-runner is not penalized; instead, the law regarding trespassers on private property applies. For example, if a home plate is surrounded by a fence and the batter attempts to go past it into another yard, he has committed a crime in most states. The police would be called to report this incident, not because of anything the player did, but because he had no right to be on the owner's property.
In addition to being protected from first base, if a batter reaches second base he is also protected from third base. This is because it is possible for him to beat an attempt by the pitcher to force him out of any base by sliding into one safely.
Finally, if the batter reaches third base he becomes immune to pitches from the pitcher. This is because it is impossible for the pitcher to hit him while he is there. Third-base coaches sometimes tell batters not to try to score from there because pitchers will get them out with a pitch. But because the batter is protected by the rule, this advice is meaningless to him.
A base runner obstructs a defensive player who is fielding a hit ball. Interference 5.09 (b) occurs when a base runner impedes a fielder who is in the act of fielding a batted ball or who is making a throw in the course of fielding a hit ball. So summon the runner.
2 Unlike in baseball, a runner who is hit by a fair batted ball while in touch with his base is not out unless there is purposeful interference. The rationale for this rule variation is because no lead-offs are permitted.
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