Breakaway base

[LMSANS]

R1 slides into 2B, the throw goes into the outfield. The base breaks away and slides about 10 feet towards left field. R1 gets up and starts towards 3B. The throw from F9 is right on the button to F5 at 3B. R1 stops and turns to:

a. Run back to the actual base and reaches it before being tagged.

b. Run back to where the base is supposed to be and reaches before being tagged.

c. Is tagged halfway between where the base should be and where it is.

This is similar to a scenario I saw on another site. What is your ruling?

Is it the same for all rule sets? Which rule are you using?

Is it the same for softball and baseball?

[UmpJM]

Larry,

A little bit of a HTBT, but I would likely have the runner safe in all 3 sitches, per 7.08© AR1.

I have no idea if softball would differ.

JM

[mstaylor]

© He is tagged, when the ball is alive, while off his base. EXCEPTION: A batter-runner cannot be tagged out after overrunning or oversliding first base if he returns immediately to the base;

APPROVED RULING: (1) If the impact of a runner breaks a base loose from its position, no play can be made on that runner at that base if he had reached the base safely.

APPROVED RULING: (2) If a base is dislodged from its position during a play, any following runner on the same play shall be considered as touching or occupying the base if, in the umpire’s judgment, he touches or occupies the point marked by the dislodged bag.

7.08c says if kicks it loose he can't be tagged if he isn't trying to advance. If it is loose and he tries to advance and returns or a following runner comes to that bag, it is the spot where the bag is supposed to be.

[Mr Umpire]

7.08c says if kicks it loose he can't be tagged if he isn't trying to advance. If it is loose and he tries to advance and returns or a following runner comes to that bag, it is the spot where the bag is supposed to be.

This is how I read it. This falls under 7.08© AR 2. He has to go to the point marked by the dislodged base meaning where the base was at the start. He has to get in the general place of where the base was.

So, for the OP, I have:

1) Out if the base is well away from where it was. If it is close, I will give the runner the benefit of that.

2) Safe

3) Out or Safe depending upon how close he is where the base was and condition of the field if it can be determined of where the base was.

[Umpire in Chief]

Interesting...

a. I'm probably going to safe him, because he thinks he's doing the right thing by returning to the base.

b. definitely safe

c. HTBT it would depend on a number of things including what I believe the runner's intent is.

[jim knight]

I would have a safe call in all three situations / I may have an argument as well / I do not have a rule ref for you... I would make same call in softball... I am not sure that I would be right / I am sure you will fill us in.

[mstaylor]

1) safe

2) safe

3) out

[someoneinca]

a) safe

B) safe

c) HTBT, though if he started for third, then out

Using LL rule 7.08© ARs (1) and (2)

This is a weird sitch though because my LL Rule Book states he can be touching either the bag or the point marked by the dislodged bag. But my LL Rules Instruction Manual 7.08© AR 2 states that he can be safe only if touching "the point marked by the dislodged base" and says he is out if touching the dislodged base.

In this sitch, I would go with the book because that is what everyone has.

Edited February 26, 2009 by someoneinca

[Ump29]

a - out

b - safe

c - out

As per OBR .

[mstaylor]

a) safe

safe

c) HTBT, though if he started for third, then out

Using LL rule 7.08© ARs (1) and (2)

This is a weird sitch though because my LL Rule Book states he can be touching either the bag or the point marked by the dislodged bag. But my LL Rules Instruction Manual 7.08© AR 2 states that he can be safe only if touching "the point marked by the dislodged base" and says he is out if touching the dislodged base.

In this sitch, I would go with the book because that is what everyone has.

I don't have a LGR handy, what does the LL book say that is different from OBR? I don't remember there being any difference.

Edited to add: I looked up both rules and they are identical, poorly worded but indentical. Go with the spot where the base was.

Edited March 1, 2009 by mstaylor

[Bigdog]

R1 slides into 2B, the throw goes into the outfield. The base breaks away and slides about 10 feet towards left field. R1 gets up and starts towards 3B. The throw from F9 is right on the button to F5 at 3B. R1 stops and turns to:

a. Run back to the actual base and reaches it before being tagged.

b. Run back to where the base is supposed to be and reaches before being tagged.

c. Is tagged halfway between where the base should be and where it is.

This is similar to a scenario I saw on another site. What is your ruling?

Is it the same for all rule sets? Which rule are you using?

Is it the same for softball and baseball?

Hey all,

a. out - he isn't where the base should be

b. safe - he is where the base should be

c. out - he isn't where the base should be

Bigdog:cool: