standing in baseline

Question
should or can a defensive player stand in the baseline when a runner is on the bag?  we have an umpire who states that there are no baselines however called a player out for going outside the baseline

Answer
Hi Julie,

the defense can position themselves in the "baseline" if they would like but if the ball is hit to someone other than them or if you want to steal they must move and not "obstruct" the runner.  They cannot just stand there and make the runner move around them.

A "base line" is an imaginary line directly between bases.  You can never be called out for being out of the base line.

A "base path" is a line directly between a base and the runner抯 position at the time a
defensive player is attempting to tag that runner.

You only have a base path when a defensive player is attempting to tag a runner.  The runner has 3' on either side of that line to move.  If they go outside that 3' line they are out for being out of the base path.

Mark