[greymule]

Hugo: I think the philosophical difference is that in the rundown play, the defense has opted to try for a putout, gambling that they'll get the out before the run scores. In the case of a passed runner, the offense has deliberately generated an advantageous out that the defense cannot prevent. It doesn't seem fair (to me) that the offense should be able to do that.

That play could happen this way: Abel on 3B, Baker on 2B, Charles on 1B, 2 out. Daniels hit a pop to short left. Everybody runs except Baker, who thinks there's only 1 out and stands 3 steps off 2B. F7 is charging but can't quite make the catch and traps the ball. Abel has scored. As F7 is throwing to 3B for the force on Baker, Charles alertly deliberately passes Baker to cause a time play third out and remove the force on Baker.

Apparenly that's legal, but it doesn't seem fair.