Mets Lose Base Touch Challenge on Retouch Requirement Rule

[Lindsay]

Although Diamondbacks runner Jake McCarthy stumbled back onto the first base side after sliding into second on his way to third, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza lost his base touch challenge as umpires determined McCarthy did not violate a rule by not retouching second base while advancing to third base, leaving at least one broadcaster stumped. What happened?

McCarthy slid feet-first into second base before popping up to advance to third on New York catcher Francisco Alvarez's throwing error. In doing so, however, McCarthy stepped toward the right field/first base side of second, leading New York to appeal a missed base touch at second, with the thought process being that because McCarthy stepped back onto the first base side of the bag, he was required to retouch second before advancing to third (last time by principle).

Official Baseball Rule 5.06(b)(1) states, "In advancing, a runner shall touch first, second, third and home base in order. If forced to return, they shall retouch all bases in reverse order, unless the ball is dead under any provision of Rule 5.06(c). In such cases, the runner may go directly to their original base."

2B Umpire Malachi Moore, however, signaled McCarthy safe and, after Replay Review as a result of Mendoza's challenge, crew chief Bill Miller announced the call had been confirmed, much to the surprise of SNY. Why did Replay confirm this call despite McCarthy clearly stepping to the first base side of the base?

Although McCarthy clearly stepped onto the "prior" side of second base, he did so not as part of an attempt to return (see forced to return, above), but incidentally as part of a recovery from an off-balance slide as he attempted to advance to third. Thus, because the runner was not intending to return, there was no retouch requirement; accordingly, the call was confirmed because the runner did touch second base at some point during the sequence.

Video as follows:
Alternate Link: Mets' misinterpretation of base touch rule leads to confirmed call, lost challenge

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[Velho]

Thank goodness. When I first saw this I worried the call was going the other way.

[Jimurray]

1 hour ago, Velho said:

Thank goodness. When I first saw this I worried the call was going the other way.

The rule technically would apply to no baserunner ever. No one is ever "forced" to return.

[The Man in Blue]

Forced as a synonym of required, not as a force out.

But, yes.  

[Jimurray]

10 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

Forced as a synonym of required, not as a force out.

But, yes.  

I don't find forced as a synonym of required but we know what they mean and I don't think they are going to revise the wording on my account.

[beerguy55]

On 9/1/2024 at 9:43 AM, Jimurray said:

I don't find forced as a synonym of required but we know what they mean and I don't think they are going to revise the wording on my account.

Compelled?  Mandated?

[Velho]