Question about runner's lane interference on dropped third strike

[timelydew]

"First baseman sets up in foul territory to receive the throw from the catcher on a dropped third strike. Runner runs to first running outside the running lane (to the left in fair territory) and is hit with the ball before touching first base.

Correct call: runner is safe

Explanation: The runner is allowed to exit the running lane in order avoid a fielder, which in this case is a first baseman who is standing directly in the running lane. Since the runner is running to the left of the running lane he is not intentionally trying to interfere with the throw or the first baseman and should be called safe."
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Is this true under OBR? I thought avoiding a fielder only had to do with a batted ball.

"except that he may run outside (to the right of) the three foot line or inside (to the left of) the foul line to avoid a fielder attempting to field a batted ball"

[noumpere]

It's correct under all codes (assuming the D3K went to foul territory and F2 was throwing theball from there).

 

While the "avoiding the fielder" you quoted applies only on a batted ball, the rest of RLI (including when it's legal to leave the running lane) can happen on any play in which B becomes BR.

[timelydew]

1 minute ago, noumpere said:

It's correct under all codes (assuming the D3K went to foul territory and F2 was throwing theball from there).

 

While the "avoiding the fielder" you quoted applies only on a batted ball, the rest of RLI (including when it's legal to leave the running lane) can happen on any play in which B becomes BR.

Yes, I assume that was how it hypothetically unfolded. Thanks for the quick response.

[maven]

6 minutes ago, timelydew said:

Is this true under OBR? I thought avoiding a fielder only had to do with a batted ball.

Yes it's true. You're right to question the explanation. A better explanation of this ruling absolves the BR of RLI based on the quality of throw, not a permission to run outside the lane.

[umptwo]

On 8/28/2017 at 9:40 AM, maven said:

Quote

Yes it's true. You're right to question the explanation. A better explanation of this ruling absolves the BR of RLI based on the quality of throw, not a permission to run outside the lane.

 

Well, this might not be *that* bad a throw just because it's on the fair side.  If it's catchable without some extraordinary effort, isn't  that "quality enough"?  (I'm imagining it coming from just a couple of feet on foul side of home plate.)  If so, I'd still be inclined to call interference unless the runner was so near the bag he had to come into fair territory to touch at the end, which we'd allow in all cases anyway.  (Somebody can tell me I'm wrong).  I certainly don't think I'd coach a runner to run in fair territory if F3 is waiting for a throw from foul ground...it seems wiser to stay in the lane and let the defense deal with it; if you get hit in the lane, you're covered for sure.