Blocking a base on steal attempt

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Is it obstruction if the third base fielder stands with their right foot on the second base side of the bag while receiving a throw from the catcher as a runner attempts to steal third base?

Where should the third base fielder stand to receive a throw?
Answer -
So long as the base runner has a path to the bag, obstruction shouldn't be called. However, that's a judgment call on the part of the umpire. Also, from a defensive standpoint, it's probably not wise to stand in front of the bag unless the goal is a spike in your foot or a broken ankle! Where you should stand largelt depends on where the throw is coming from, but off to either side usually works best. You also want to be in a position to make a throw somewhere else if there's another play to be made.



I coach 13-14yr and because the team was short players, we ended up playing a kid at 3rd base who was unfamiliar there when the situation in the first question occurred.  The throw from the catcher got there with enough time for the glove to be placed in front of the bag so that the sliding runner had nowhere to slide but into the glove.  The umpire called the runner safe saying that the fielder's foot, not his body, had blocked the base when he established his position to accept the throw.  If as in this case, a fielder receives posession of the ball when the runner is say two strides from the base, can obstruction be properly called?

Also, if the throw is coming from the catcher to 3rd base with no other runners on base, when you say the position to stand is off to either side not in front of the base, where exactly would you coach the player to stand?  On foul side, home plate side, behind the bag, stradling the bag,...?

Answer
Sounds to me that in the umpire's judgement, the base runner did not have a path to the bag, due to the fielders foot being in the way. Having the glove (with ball) in front of the bag ready to make the tag is perfectly fine, but again, the fielder should not have his leg in the base path to the bag.

The proper position to field the throw from the catcher to 3rd base would either be in front of the base - home plate side (if the 3rd baseman was playing in), or straddling the bag (if the 3rd baseman was playing back). Either of those positions will allow the 3rd baseman to make the tag without blocking the basepath (and without subjecting them to possible injury).