I noticed a couple 1B'men this HS season where the 1B actually has his right foot on the inside of the bag, "virtually blocking" the runners angle back to the bag if he were to dive back.
Is this legal?
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It's legal but dangerous and bush league. Instead of risking a jammed shoulder or hand, I make sure to tell my players if he is blocking it, go back feet first. A spike mark on his ankles will cure the problem.
In High School Baseball I'm not sure that it is legal to block the base before the ball arrives. I know this is true for home plate, but is it true at other bases and is it the same rule for diving back to a bag.
Under FED it is obstruction when a fielder, without possession of the ball, denies a runner access to the bag. "Access" is the judgment of the umpire. There have been several interpretations, and FED itself has issued two different ones.
One interp is that part of that portion of the bag nearest the runner, the leading edge, must be available to the runner.
One interp is that part of that portion of the bag nearest the runner, the leading edge, must be available to the runner.
Is your 1b, left handed or right handed.
Keith Hernandez was in a splinter's position in an effort to push off quickly toward second base.
The majority of HS 1b have not studied the position or studied the hitters or the base runners.
It is a very difficult position to play "well".
Bob
Keith Hernandez was in a splinter's position in an effort to push off quickly toward second base.
The majority of HS 1b have not studied the position or studied the hitters or the base runners.
It is a very difficult position to play "well".
Bob