A few years ago, MLB distributed a video prior to the start of the season demonstrating how catchers should adhere to the Collision at Home Plate rule 6.01 (i). The video coupled with the language of the rule has been a huge success in eliminating runner/catcher collisions at the plate.

Now, MLB needs to provide a video on the subject of “Illegally Blocking a Base by an Infielder.” The video should detail the legal position of infielders when receiving a throw to retire a runner and also the proper set up by an infielder to avoid obstruction on pick-off plays

Play No. 1

Adames Drops a Knee and Blocks the Base

The Giants hosted the Royals on May 19, 2025. In the top of the seventh, the Royals had Dairon Blanco on first base when Giants’ lefty Robbie Ray had Blanco picked-off when he was going on first move to second base. Blanco ran to second where he was out 1-3-6 when shortstop Willy Adames applied the tag.

Royals’ manager Matt Quatraro argued that Adames was illegally blocking the base by dropping his knee before he had possession of the ball and was ejected by second base umpire Jordan Baker. If obstruction was called, Blanco would have been awarded second base since this would be a Type 1 obstruction. When Type 1 occurs, the obstructed runner is awarded the next base after the last base he legally touched, which in this case was first base.

Ruleball Comments

• The blocking the base obstruction rule is a nightmare for umpires, managers, players, coaches, broadcasters, etc. because of its lack of consistency and interpretation. The cry for help is loud and clear.
• At the start of the 2024 season, MLB noted that it was illegal for a fielder to have one or both feet in front of the base in the direction of the runner, and could not block the base in any manner unless he had possession of the ball.
• As the 2024 season progressed, it is my understanding that the rule was relaxed. Infielders were allowed to block a base provided the runner was given a lane to the base. What is considered a lane is not clear. It appeared that the importance of ball possession was no longer paramount in the interpretation of blocking a base.
• The definition of obstruction in the Official Rules of Major League Baseball reads, Obstruction is the act of a fielder who, while not in possession of the ball and not in the act of fielding the ball, impedes the progress of the runner.
• The words in the act of fielding the throw, in my opinion, has muddled the 2024 directive because fielders often block the base while the ball is in flight before gaining possession of the ball. This is what apparently occurred in the Adames play above.
• Although I never heard Baker’s answer to his decision, I think Quatraro had a good argument.
• Catcher obstruction plays under the Collisions at Home Plate rule 6.01 (i) can be reviewed, but illegal blocking of a base at the other three bases are not reviewable. Where is the consistency?
• MLB should consider revising the obstruction rule by eliminating the words in the act of fielding the throw in plays involving a direct throw to a base such as a stolen base attempt or any other throw that goes directly to a base to retire a runner. This would exclude rundown situations because of the nature and dynamics of the play. Also, if the trajectory or the hop of the throw causes the fielder to block the base, that would be legal. It would be consistent with the Collisions at Home Plate rule.
• By keeping the obstruction definition as is, the fielder is allowed to block the base if he is in the act of fielding the throw even if he impedes the progress of the runner without possession of the ball.

Play No. 2

The White Sox and Cubs played at Wrigley on May 16th. In the top of the first, the Sox had Chase Meidroth on first base and one out. Luis Robert Jr. was facing Cade Horton when Meidroth attempted to steal second base. Meidroth was called out by second base umpire Jeremie Rehak. But following crew consultation by the four umpires- Chris Conroy (plate), Brennan Miller (1b), Rehak (2b) and John Tumpane (3b), it was determined that Cubs shortstop Nico Hoerner had illegally blocked the base. The umpires ruled that Meidroth was obstructed and was awarded second base.

Ruleball Comments

• I agree that Hoerner obstructed the runner by having a foot in front of the base before he had possession of the ball. But some would argue that Hoerner gave the runner a lane.
• The White Sox broadcaster said that Hoerner put his foot in front of the bag-and that is construed as obstruction. I agree. But why was Adames in Play No. 1 allowed to drop a knee before he had possession of the ball?

Play No. 3

The Mets hosted the Brewers on March 29, 2024, to open the season.  In the bottom of the second inning, Brewers’ catcher William Contreras threw to first base in an attempt to pick-off Mets baserunner DJ Stewart, with Milwaukee first baseman Rhys Hoskins receiving the throw. Hoskins appeared to place his left leg into Stewart’s path, effectively blocking his access to first base. First base umpire Lance Barrett called the runner out, and did not invoke the obstruction rule. Stewart complained that Hoskins was blocking the bag.

Ruleball Comments

• Hoskins blocked the base before he had possession of the ball. Did Barrett base his ruling on the aspect of the rule that allows the fielder to block a base if the fielder is in the act of fielding the throw?
• If so, does possession of the ball before blocking a base carry any weight?
• If Type 1 obstruction was called on Hoskins, Stewart would have been awarded second base and would have been in scoring position in a game the Mets lost, 3-1.

Play No. 4

Grissom Called for Type 1 Obstruction

Third base umpire Alan Porter ejected Red Sox manager Alex Cora in the first game of the Sept. 22, 2024, doubleheader against the Twins won by the Sox, 8-1. In the top of the first inning, the Twins had Byron Buxton on second base and on out when Boston pitcher Nick Pivetta threw to second baseman Vaughn Grissom in an attempt to pick- off Buxton. Second base umpire Dan Merzel ruled Buxton safe. After Twins’ manager Rocco Baldelli argued that Grissom had illegally blocked the base, the umpires huddled and changed the ruling to a Type 1 obstruction on Grissom and Buxton was awarded third base.

Did Grissom obstruct the runner’s basepath without possession of the ball?

Ruleball Comments

• In this play it appeared that Grissom dropped a knee and blocked the base before he had possession of the ball. But did he give Buxton a lane?
• Following the game, Cora admitted that Grissom had obstructed Buxton but thought obstruction should have been called immediately without umpire consultation.

Play No. 5

Second Base Umpire Calls Obstruction on Play at Third Base

The Phils and Reds played at Great American Ballpark on April 24, 2024. In the bottom of the third, Elly De La Cruz attempted to steal third base when he was called out by third base umpire Phil Cuzzi. But second base umpire and crew chief Dan Bellino ran across the infield and called obstruction on Phils’ third baseman Edmundo Sosa for illegally blocking the base. It’s possible that Cuzzi was blocked out in this play.

In the video below, you will see Bellino jogging in the direction of third base.

Ruleball Comments

• It is my understanding, the umps feel it is hard to make the obstruction call given their focus on the tag and they are therefore open to assistance from the ump at the prior base.
• This was a difficult call in real time, especially from across the diamond.

Play No. 6

“You Make the Call”

On May 8, 2025, the Braves hosted the Reds. In the Top of the 11th inning, Blake Dunn was called out at second base on a steal attempt. Reds’ manager Terry Francona unsuccessfully challenged the out call. But did second baseman Ozzie Albies illegally block the base? If he did, it would not be reviewable.

Summary

Obviously there is confusion by many regarding the blocking the base obstruction rule. I believe blocking the base obstruction calls should be reviewable as are blocking the plate plays under the Collisions at Home Plate rule. And would it make more sense to see the rule rewritten to parallel the Collisions at Home Plate rule? A video demonstrating what is legal and what is not I’m sure would be welcomed by umpires, managers, coaches, players, and broadcasters.

Rich Marazzi
Rules consultant/analyst: Angels, Dodgers, Mets, Nationals, Orioles, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Rangers, Royals, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Yankees, YES, and Chicago Sports Network