Comparing the basicity of aniline and ortho anisidine
Why you considering the methyl group on $\ce{-OCH3}$ to be "locked" in position, facing away from the $\ce{-NH2}$ group? It is free to rotate in all directions, and it will come at a position next to the $\ce{-NH2}$ group, where the ortho effect will apply. 

For a visualization, here is a similar image:



(taken from Martin's excellent post)



PS: I believe that Steric Inhibition of Resonance should not be invoked here, because both sides of the $\ce{-NH2}$ group are not blocked by the $\ce{-OCH3}$ group, and $\ce{-OCH3}$ is certainly not as bulky a group as t-butyl.