Out of the basepath

[umpire_scott]

I had a runner in a rundown between first and second this weekend.  It was a 10U game and the kid kept gaining distance towards the outfield each time he turned to go the other direction.  There was never a tag attempt made on him when he would turn to change direction.  He probably changed directions 6-7 times. By the time the tag was applied he had gone pretty far into right field, but each time he "creating his own path" he did not stray 3 feet to avoid a tag.  The fans and daddy coaches were going nuts of course.

 

How far can a runner realistically stray from the direct line between the bases?  By rule it seems they could end up halfway into the outfield and never violate the base path rule.

[maven]

How far can a runner realistically stray from the direct line between the bases? By rule it seems they could end up halfway into the outfield and never violate the base path rule.

Dead ball territory.

 

I'm not sure what force "realistically" has here.

[grayhawk]

Great job on this one - I think "out of the baseline" has got to be the most commonly misunderstood rule in the game.  Sounds like you applied it correctly.  Hard to believe 10 year olds could make 6-7 throws without tossing it away.  Most of the time, they screw the pooch on the second or third throw (if they're lucky).

[UMP45]

Great job on this one - I think "out of the baseline" has got to be the most commonly misunderstood rule in the game.  Sounds like you applied it correctly.  Hard to believe 10 year olds could make 6-7 throws without tossing it away.  Most of the time, they screw the pooch on the second or third throw (if they're lucky).

That's because the runner runs in his BASE PATH not BASE LINE! 

[afaber12]

 

How far can a runner realistically stray from the direct line between the bases? By rule it seems they could end up halfway into the outfield and never violate the base path rule.

Dead ball territory.

 

I'm not sure what force "realistically" has here.

 

 

Even if he winds up in dead ball territory, he's not necessarily violated the 3 feet. Abandonment sure.

[Jocko]

Understanding the rule is the first step. Sounds like you have a pretty solid grasp of this one.

[umpire_scott]

Great job on this one - I think "out of the baseline" has got to be the most commonly misunderstood rule in the game.  Sounds like you applied it correctly.  Hard to believe 10 year olds could make 6-7 throws without tossing it away.  Most of the time, they screw the pooch on the second or third throw (if they're lucky).

 

I was amazed as well.  It was actually almost comical watching it unfold.  It was a tournament "world series" where teams that had won previous tournaments were playing.  So it was actually some pretty talented 10 year olds.

 

The funny thing is that even though they recorded the out the DTHC still asked why I let the play go and didn't call him out earlier for running out of the baseline.  I explained the rule.  And his reply was "do you think anyone would have disagreed if you called him out".  I just said "Well I prefer to call plays based on the rules not the potential reactions by fans and coaches".  

[Stan W.]

 

Great job on this one - I think "out of the baseline" has got to be the most commonly misunderstood rule in the game.  Sounds like you applied it correctly.  Hard to believe 10 year olds could make 6-7 throws without tossing it away.  Most of the time, they screw the pooch on the second or third throw (if they're lucky).

 

I was amazed as well.  It was actually almost comical watching it unfold.  It was a tournament "world series" where teams that had won previous tournaments were playing.  So it was actually some pretty talented 10 year olds.

 

The funny thing is that even though they recorded the out the DTHC still asked why I let the play go and didn't call him out earlier for running out of the baseline.  I explained the rule.  And his reply was "do you think anyone would have disagreed if you called him out".  I just said "Well I prefer to call plays based on the rules not the potential reactions by fans and coaches".  

 

 

Outstanding!!  Congratulations!..........

 

I just said "Well I prefer to call plays based on the rules not the potential reactions by fans and coaches".

 

This is what a real umpire says and does.........

[JaxRolo]

Good job. Just make sure to watch for OBS