EmptyMessage board »Message Board home »Sign-in or register to get started
Online now: 0 members ; 8 anonymousDiscussion: Batter Runner reaching first base
| Posted | Discussion |
| April 1 Steve in Tucson Men's 70 22 posts | Batter Runner reaching first base Referring to Rule 8.4 (1) - Batter Runner reaching first base: The wording "his touch of only the bag in foul territory will not result in an out" appears to leave some room for interpretation. So . . . 1) While holding the ball, the defensive player's foot slid across the white base onto the orange (in foul territory)base. Should the batter-runner be called out or safe? 2) Because the defensive player contacted the batter-runner when his foot slid across to the orange bag, does this change the ruling? |
| April 2 OZ40 549 posts | Batter Runner reaching first base Key word in that sentence: "his touch of ONLY the bag in foul territory will not result in an out", is "only". The scenario you describe has the defensive player first contacting the white bag then sliding his foot over the bag to the orange safety bag. If the defensive player caught the ball, had control of the ball and first contacted the white bag then the runner is legally out at that point. At best, there may be an obstruction ruling here but that would be a judgement call by the umpire. |
| April 2 k man Men's 65 326 posts | Batter Runner reaching first base Another scenario, defensive player is pulled across white bag, not having ball yet. He is now straddling orange bag and the runner is looking to avoid contact. I know he can touch the white base to avoid the contact and should be called safe. But if the runner veers to the right of the orange bag (without touching it) will he possibly be called safe because he was trying to avoid the collision? |
| April 2 OZ40 549 posts | Batter Runner reaching first base K man, in your different scenario the 1st baseman is clearly obstructing the bag. The call by the umpire should be obstruction by the 1st baseman and the runner SHOULD be declared safe. Again, obstruction is a judgement call and must be seen by the umpire. If I witness this my reasoning is since the orange bag was instituted to ensure safety for both the 1st baseman and the runner the call has to be safe because the orange bag was missed purposely to avoid a potential injury from a collision. |
| April 2 Steve in Tucson Men's 70 22 posts | Batter Runner reaching first base Thank you all for your comments. This helps so I can inform our umpiring crew. |
