Hitter hits ground ball past first baseman into outfield and safely runs to first. Runs through/past first base to the right of the baseline into foul territory. Mistakenly thinks the ball had bounced foul on the way past first baseman and trots back towards home plate to retrieve his bat and return to bat, all on the right side of the baseline never crossing the baseline into the field of play. Goes to pick up bat, everyone yelling at him to run back to first, other team yelling at their fielders to throw to first and get him out. He runs back to first, still outside baseline the entire time, throw beats him to first, no tag, umpire calls him safe. Fielding team's head coach goes crazy insisting he should have been out.
No clarification from ump but I was under impression the safe call is accurate as he never crossed the baseline, never made a turn towards second and never intended to advance bases. Another parent arguing with me saying he was only safe because no tag was applied. Who is correct? Opposing coach (should have been out by fielder w ball touching base), me (safe under any circumstance as he never crossed path or attempted to advance) or other parent (claims once he passed first base again towards home plate he was back in the field of play and simply needed to be tagged out)?
Thanks!
