Pitcher blocking Home Plate FP Softball

Question
QUESTION: Dear Mark,

Is the pitcher allowed to block the home plate in anticipation of the ball from the catcher on a WP/PB??...and if so, is the runner coming from 3rd base forced to slide in order to avoid injuring the pitcher???...As far as I was aware, only the catcher is allowed to block home plate, and then certainly at his/her own RISK!!!

ANSWER: Hi Steve,

NO player is allowed to block the base w/out having control of the ball.  NO runner is required to slide.  If the base is blocked by any player w/out the ball it is obstruction.

Mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Mark,

Sorry if I seem a bit dense, but does that mean EVEN the Catcher is not allowed to OBSTRUCT/BLOCK home plate if he does not have control of the ball???...This would surprise me greatly, since nearly EVERY catcher I have ever seen does so.

Thx n Brgds StevenGregory

Answer
Hi Steve,

"OBSTRUCTION.
Obstruction is the act of a fielder:
A. Not in possession of the ball, or
B. Not in the act of fielding a batted ball,
which impedes the progress of a batter-runner or runner who is legally
running the bases.
If a defensive player is blocking the base or base path without the ball,
they are impeding the progress of the runner and this is obstruction.
In past years, coaches taught their players to block the base, catch
the ball and make the tag. Now defensive players must catch the ball, block the base and then make the tag."

There is no exception for the catcher nor any other player "guarding" a base.

Mark