Retouching Bases

[Rob H]

Runner on first, stealing second on the play and continues toward third when the ball is hit in the air into the gap between two outfielders and is caught at the fence.  The runner had actually missed second base as he rounded it by three or four steps. Since runner missed second can the runner just cut across the diamond to return to first as he never touched second in the first place?  

[Velho]

Runner must touch second base and then first base. This touch of second base will cure his prior miss.

Failing to touch second base and then touching first base leaves him exposed to being out on proper appeal.

[MadMax]

3 hours ago, Rob H said:

The runner had actually missed second base as he rounded it by three or four steps.

What @Velho said above 👆, plus there are intersecting planes involved. Just because the Runner missed physically touching the base does not absolve him of not touching the base on the return journey past. There's a plane that passes thru the base (in this case, 2B) that constitutes "passing the base" that the Runner likely (or surely) broke on his way towards 3B. 

[jimurrayalterego]

33 minutes ago, MadMax said:

What @Velho said above 👆, plus there are intersecting planes involved. Just because the Runner missed physically touching the base does not absolve him of not touching the base on the return journey past. There's a plane that passes thru the base (in this case, 2B) that constitutes "passing the base" that the Runner likely (or surely) broke on his way towards 3B. 

Intersecting planes is correct. Them passes thru the base is not. But we know what you mean and he should too. With that said I agree I am being pedantic.

[noumpere]

It's always (?) the Last Time By that matters.