Just curious

[Tyennie]

Had this thought run through my mind (although with me it was more like a jog) as i was working bases yesterday.

Hypothetical situation: Rules set should not matter, as this concerns the retouch of a runner after a foul ball not caught. If said runner does not retouch, and then the BR hits safely, can the defense appeal the "no retouch" on the runner for an out. Or is it a moot point after the pitch, which the BR has hit.

for those of you that need a better scenario: R2, BR fouls down the 3B line, R2 wanders back to second but does not touch base. BR then hits clean single to right center, R2 advances to third. Can defense now appeal to 2B for R2 not retouching after foul ball?

[mstaylor]

It's fine as long as the runner is near the base. They put the retouch rule in because guys would stand next to their next base, wait for the ball to be put in play and then "steal" the base. A step or two is close enough.

[Mr Umpire]

It isn't an appeallable play. It is just a rule for the umpire to enforce to prevent an advantage for the offense like MST said.

[yawetag]

In fact, the rules simply state that the PU can't put the ball in play until they've retouched.

I had a coach ask me about it this year. Same scenario, but they tagged R2 out on a ground ball. The DC comes out and says, "Runner didn't retag second." I replied, "You got him out at third. Where's his advantage to not touching?" He went back to the dugout.

I'm still confused on why he cared.

[txump81]

It is always funny when a coach comes out to argue a rule and the penalty is an out that they have already recorded. What are you going to do, call the runner out twice.

Had a coach come out and question batting out of order. The BR was thrown out at 1B so an out was recorded. Do you want me to declare the batter out for batting out of order also? 1 batter (or runner) 1 out. BTW, it was the correct batter anyway.

[Mike Prince]

In my experience, almost every poor coach thinks they can gain some advantage through a non-existent/imaginary rule. If you can't coach, surely there is a rule to make up for your incompetence.

The best coaches know the rules and focus on helping their players play to their potential and beyond. Sadly in youth baseball that coach is virtually non-existent.

[Rich Ives]

It is always funny when a coach comes out to argue a rule and the penalty is an out that they have already recorded. What are you going to do, call the runner out twice.

Had a coach come out and question batting out of order. The BR was thrown out at 1B so an out was recorded. Do you want me to declare the batter out for batting out of order also? 1 batter (or runner) 1 out. BTW, it was the correct batter anyway.

Well, in OBR the proper batter is the one called out and any outs and advances caused by the improper batter are voided.

In FED the out on the proper batter supercedes the out on the improper batter 7-1-1.

Edited June 11, 2010 by Rich Ives

[NovaScotiaBlue]

Had this thought run through my mind (although with me it was more like a jog) as i was working bases yesterday.

Hypothetical situation: Rules set should not matter, as this concerns the retouch of a runner after a foul ball not caught. If said runner does not retouch, and then the BR hits safely, can the defense appeal the "no retouch" on the runner for an out. Or is it a moot point after the pitch, which the BR has hit.

for those of you that need a better scenario: R2, BR fouls down the 3B line, R2 wanders back to second but does not touch base. BR then hits clean single to right center, R2 advances to third. Can defense now appeal to 2B for R2 not retouching after foul ball?

Just to avoid anything, becuase one of these days something will happen, when I'm BU in the middle, I always make sure everyone retouches. I try to get close enough to a runner and just ask nicely, "Hey, just retouch for me"

That way the point is moot.

[Tyennie]

I agree NovaScotiablue, as i also watch to make sure they re - touch, just the curiosity of a very boring game getting the best of me. : ) ty

[buddywilshire]

In fact, the rules simply state that the PU can't put the ball in play until they've retouched.

I had a coach ask me about it this year. Same scenario, but they tagged R2 out on a ground ball. The DC comes out and says, "Runner didn't retag second." I replied, "You got him out at third. Where's his advantage to not touching?" He went back to the dugout.

I'm still confused on why he cared.

i bet after he was so excited to see he didn't retouch that the coach didn't even take then of the play in account. All he was thinking was "Oh he didn't retouch."