clarification needed

[Tyennie]

Just need to know if i am reading this rule correctly, should it ever happen in a game.

hypothetical sitch: R1, less than 2 outs. BR hits a deep fly ball, R1 is off at the crack of the bat (does not tag up) R1 has advanced around 2B and is on his way to third, ball is caught. Can R1 return to first base to tag up once he has touched second or is he SOL? thanks ty

[okump96]

if i remember it correctly as long as he retouches 2b on his way back everything is legal.

[moblue]

I saw a similar situation today in a HS Varsity game. R1 made it to second on a deep fly ball and passed the bag. I don't believe he made it to second before the catch, but his momentum from running carried him past the bag immediately afterwards. He was allowed to return to first after touching second on the way back.

The defense appealed that he never retouched second on his way back, but the umpire ruled that he did. The only reason I have any idea of what was going on here was because I was sitting next to the radio announcers for the game. :smachhead:

[Tyennie]

maybe it is the dead ball sitch i am getting confused with. Let's say no runners, BR hits a deep fly that bounces over wall for GR double. But he misses first on the way by and touches second. In this case he is not allowed to go back and touch first, correct. ty

[mstaylor]

There are a couple of different sitches and it is different in HS than in other codes.

R1 and ball hit to the outfield. Runner goes on contact. When the ball is caught he is between first and second. In this case he is allowed to return to try and beat the throw to first. He does need to touch second on the return.

Same play but he is between first and second, returning, when the fielder throws the ball which goes in DB. He is allowed to return to first.

Same play as sitch 1 but he is still between second and third when the ball is thrown in DB. In Fed he may not return. In all other codes he may return.

Same sitch as sitch 1 except while between second and third the ball goes into DB. He continues to third when his coach tells him he needs to retouch first. He may not return in any code.

In the BR missing first on the GRD, he may retouch at any point before he touches second. Once he touches second, he can't return. This is the same in all codes.

[noumpere]

Same play as sitch 1 but he is still between second and third when the ball is thrown in DB. In Fed he may not return.

Agreed, but note that it's the runner's position when the ball becomes dead (not when it's thrown) that determines whether he may (legally) return.

[daled]

Michael wrote: "R1 and ball hit to the outfield. Runner goes on contact. When the ball is caught he is between first and second. In this case he is allowed to return to try and beat the throw to first. He does need to touch second on the return."

I assume you were trying to say runner is caught between second and third?

I have not had this situation yet. So I too want to make sure I have it correct before it happens.

In the situation #3 in Fed would the DC need to appeal this play or is the runner out?

[noumpere]

In the situation #3 in Fed would the DC need to appeal this play or is the runner out?

You always let the runner return, even if it's not a legal return. If the defense then makes an appeal, after all the base-running is done, you call the out. I suppose in SC, where the defense doesn't need to appeal, you could just call the runner out at the time (although if it's a timing play, ....)