Returning to base between pitches

[Guest BigR]

Does a runner have to return/retouch base between pitches?  Does runner have to return after a foul ball on the ground or dead ball situation?  If so and he doesn't, do you have to tag runner or just touch base?

[UmpJM]

Yes, the runner must return to his base after a foul ball/dead ball situation. Whether he actually touches it or not is not really material. The umpire should not put the ball in play again until he has returned to the vicinity of his base.

 

A runner is under no obligation to return to or touch his base between pitches when the ball remains in play. It is generally advisable that he do so.

 

JM

[noumpere]

Just to add to JMs response if the runner does not retouch on a foul he is NOT subject to being out on appeal or being declared out or any other nonsense you sometimes hear.

[maven]

Agree with JM and noumpere.

 

It's worth understanding what this rule is trying to prevent, so that you can understand the "vicinity of the base" language and the spirit of the rule. In the distant past, runners would advance to the next base during a dead ball and wait just inches off the base for the umpire to put the ball in play. Once the ball is live, they would step on the advance base and earn a "steal." The rules makers decided that this mode of stealing was too easy, and so required runners to be "in the vicinity" of their last legally touched base before the umpire would put the ball in play.

 

Actually touching the base is not required to enforce this provision. A big booger worth not picking.

[Mudder]

A runner is under no obligation to return to or touch his base between pitches when the ball remains in play. It is generally advisable that he do so.

 

JM

 

 UmpJM, regarding the bolded part, while I respect your wisdom, isn't that coaching?  I mean if he is not required to return to the base on a live ball why should we as umps care if he does/does not return?

[noumpere]

 

A runner is under no obligation to return to or touch his base between pitches when the ball remains in play. It is generally advisable that he do so.

 

JM

 

 UmpJM, regarding the bolded part, while I respect your wisdom, isn't that coaching?  I mean if he is not required to return to the base on a live ball why should we as umps care if he does/does not return?

 

I am sure that JM wasn't suggesting that the umpire advise him to do so.  Only that it was good baseball sense to do so lest the runner be picked off while he was getting his sign etc.

[mstaylor]

 

 

A runner is under no obligation to return to or touch his base between pitches when the ball remains in play. It is generally advisable that he do so.

 

JM

 

 UmpJM, regarding the bolded part, while I respect your wisdom, isn't that coaching?  I mean if he is not required to return to the base on a live ball why should we as umps care if he does/does not return?

 

I am sure that JM wasn't suggesting that the umpire advise him to do so.  Only that it was good baseball sense to do so lest the runner be picked off while he was getting his sign etc.

 

Exactly, we could care less if he retouches during a live ball, it is advisable that the coaches make sure they do.