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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 117 anonymousDiscussion: Runner reversing direction
| Posted | Discussion |
| Nov. 1, 2018 Randall 40 posts | Runner reversing direction With bases loaded a ground ball is hit to third. The runner on third breaks for home but well before the commitment line he reverses and returns to third. The third baseman had touched the bag on his fielding of the ball and forced out the runner from second base and then threw home but the runner starting at third returned to 3B because the force was off.. I was under the impression that a runner who is in a force out position must continue forward and may not turn around. I certainly can't find this in the rule book. Please respond. Thanks. I thought I posted this question earlier, but I couldn't find the post. |
| Nov. 1, 2018 DieselDan Men's 75 600 posts | I believe the runner can go back. It's no different than if the runner never moved and the third baseman touched the bag first, then the runner on third who would now be safe. |
| Nov. 1, 2018 TimMcElroy 942 posts | In this scenario, the runner from 2nd is out once the defender (with possession of the ball) steps on 3rd base. The runner who began on 3rd is no longer obligated to continue home. Provided that he hasn't touched or crossed the commitment line, that runner is permitted to retreat back to 3rd. |
| Nov. 1, 2018 TimMcElroy 942 posts | The wise defender will step on 3rd, then chase the runner from 3rd toward the commitment line for what ought to be an easy double play. |
| Nov. 1, 2018 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | The wise runner on third would run to the commitment line and stop. When the third baseman approaches for the tag the runner should step over the commitment line. If tagged after he steps over the line he will be awarded home. |
| Nov. 2, 2018 B.J. 1105 posts | the wise umpire .. (and no it's not a oxymoron) would get in position and "wait" to make the call |
| Nov. 2, 2018 Dem2 4 posts | The force play is off for the runner heading home once the the 3rd basemen tagged the bag. |
| Nov. 2, 2018 curveball Men's 65 705 posts | Sorry Dem, but all plays in SSUSA at home plate are force plays no matter how many runners are on. |
| Nov. 2, 2018 Randall 40 posts | I agree with almost all of these discussions. My biggest point of contention, is, when a player is forced to advance to the next base, is he allowed to turn around and go back to his starting base before any defensive play of forcing out a runner |
| Nov. 2, 2018 curveball Men's 65 705 posts | Yes he can go back. (see DieselDan post above. Improper order of tag of base/runner will allow original runner on 3rd to remain on 3rd if bag is touched first with runner occupying the base.) |
| Nov. 2, 2018 Nancy Allen Men's 55 1438 posts | I agree with everything said on explanations. The force play at home is totally independent of what is happening on the bases. What I could not find in our rulebook, is that in other associations that I work that some had a rule last century that a runner could not back towards 1B. That was eliminated and was replaced by a rule that said any batter/runner that went back towards the plate was automatically out. I had it happen once in a World Series. I was doing bases when he did it and called him out. My self titled elite umpire partner was not aware of it and called out again when the pitcher tagged him. We had a nice discussion about it between inning halves. He no longer umpires. I will look again later because I think that it would be under 8.1 or 8.4(1). It could be called by BJ's favorite 9.1.O about running the bases in reverse order, but even there home plate is not a bases and definitely no reason to go back to it. |
| Nov. 2, 2018 stick8 1991 posts | Randall, this may sound strange but in raw terms yes. Let’s say bases are loaded. You’re on first.. I hit a grounder to second. You start toward second and then possibly to confuse the infielder you retreat back to first. You’re not automatically out for retreating. If the defense throws to second and touches second or if they tag you then you’re out. You can run all over the field but can not touch first unless the defense makes the put out at first before you’re called out. |
| Nov. 2, 2018 TimMcElroy 942 posts | Nancy- I think this is what you're looking for: Rule 8.3 BATTER RUNNER IS OUT (H) when he moves back toward home plate to avoid or delay a tag by a fielder, the ball is dead, the batter-runner is out and all runners return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch. As stick8 pointed out, a RUNNER that is retreating to avoid a tag is not out. |
| Nov. 2, 2018 Nancy Allen Men's 55 1438 posts | Tim, thanks, that is the one that I was looking for. |
| Nov. 3, 2018 Wayne 37 Men's 65 773 posts | Randall, A batter-runner and a runner are two separate entities. A batter-runner becomes a runner after acquiring 1B. |
