Baseline Rights for Defensive Players in Baseball: Avoiding Obstruction

Question
Does a defensive player have the right to the baseline as long as they are waiting to receive the ball?

Answer
Hi Marc,

In ASA and most other orgs, the answer is absolutely no!  The defensive player cannot impeded the progress of the runner w/out possession of the ball.  "About to receive" the ball or the ball is on it's way, doesn't count.  The player would be guilty of obstruction.

You must first catch the ball, block the base or basepath and then make the tag.

mark