Returning to a missed base after time called then ball put back in play

[Side Retired]

OBR game. Less than two out, a runner misses second base, advancing to third. Time out is called. Infielders meet with pitcher on the mound. The pitcher then tells the umpire they want to appeal runner missed second. The umpire puts the ball back in play. Pitcher throws to second base, where the fielder misses the ball. Coach at third tells his runner to go back to second on the wild throw. The runner gets to second before the center fielder throws the ball back to the infield. The ball is retrieved at second and infielder tags the bag with the runner standing on the base. Is the runner out?

OBR 5.09(c)(2)
Approved Rule (B)
(B) When the ball is dead, no runner may return to touch a missed base or one he has left after he has advanced to and touched a base beyond the missed base.

Is this to say, the runner at third may not return to second base while the ball is dead, but that once the ball is put back in play, he could try to return to second? Or is it to say, once the ball is dead, the runner must remain at third no matter what, even after the ball is made live again?

[noumpere]

15 hours ago, Side Retired said:

Is this to say, the runner at third may not return to second base while the ball is dead, but that once the ball is put back in play, he could try to return to second? Or is it to say, once the ball is dead, the runner must remain at third no matter what, even after the ball is made live again?

It depends on WHY (and WHEN)  the ball became dead  In your play, since action was relaxed and the ball became dead due to a TO, the runner cannot return.

 

In a similar play where the ball is thrown out of play, then the runner can return until he advances to and touches the next base AFTER the ball becomes dead. (FED has different timing on this aspect of the play.)  So if the runner was already at third and the ball becomes dead, the runner can return.  If the runner was between second and third when the ball becomes dead, and the runner then advances to third, it's too late to return (legally).

[Jay R.]

In the OP, I have the runner out for running the bases out of order (after the clarification after the Segura play).

 

[jimurrayalterego]

On 2/23/2026 at 7:37 AM, noumpere said:

It depends on WHY (and WHEN)  the ball became dead  In your play, since action was relaxed and the ball became dead due to a TO, the runner cannot return.

 

In a similar play where the ball is thrown out of play, then the runner can return until he advances to and touches the next base AFTER the ball becomes dead. (FED has different timing on this aspect of the play.)  So if the runner was already at third and the ball becomes dead, the runner can return.  If the runner was between second and third when the ball becomes dead, and the runner then advances to third, it's too late to return (legally).

In OBR I don't see why the runner couldn't return during the dead ball or after it was made live. He hasn't touched his next base, HP, when the ball was made dead.

MLBUM

"38. RETOUCHING BASES WHILE BALL IS DEAD Rule 5.09(c)(2): While the ball is dead, no runner may return to touch a missed base or one he has left too soon after he has advanced to and touched a base beyond the missed base. A runner may return to a missed base (or one he has left too soon) during the time the ball is dead if he has not touched the next base. A runner may, of course, return to any missed base (or one he has left too soon) while the ball is in play unless a following runner has scored. See Approved Rulings (A) and (B) to Official Baseball Rule 5.09(c)(2). The “next base” or “base beyond” in this section refers to the position of the runner at the time the ball went out of play."

[jimurrayalterego]

1 hour ago, jimurrayalterego said:

In OBR I don't see why the runner couldn't return during the dead ball or after it was made live". He hasn't touched his next base, HP, when the ball was made dead.

MLBUM

"38. RETOUCHING BASES WHILE BALL IS DEAD Rule 5.09(c)(2): While the ball is dead, no runner may return to touch a missed base or one he has left too soon after he has advanced to and touched a base beyond the missed base. A runner may return to a missed base (or one he has left too soon) during the time the ball is dead if he has not touched the next base. A runner may, of course, return to any missed base (or one he has left too soon) while the ball is in play unless a following runner has scored. See Approved Rulings (A) and (B) to Official Baseball Rule 5.09(c)(2). The “next base” or “base beyond” in this section refers to the position of the runner at the time the ball went out of play."

There is a wrinkle to the OP that might or might not matter. Depends on "legally" and/or "assuming the pitching position".

"Rule 5.06(a)/5.06(c) Comment: If a runner legally acquires title to a base, and the pitcher assumes his pitching position, the runner may not return to a previously occupied base."