Quote:
Originally posted by Rich Ives
7.08 Any runner is out when_
a) 2) after touching first base, he leaves the baseline, obviously abandoning his effort to touch the next base;
Just what part of "leaves the baseline" is so hard to understand?
BTW, any runner on 2B HAS touched first base.
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READ THE WHOLE THING:
2) after touching first base, he leaves the baseline, obviously abandoning his effort to touch the next base; Any runner after reaching first base who leaves the baseline heading for his dugout or his position believing that there is no further play, may be declared out if the umpire judges the act of the runner to be considered abandoning his efforts to run the bases. Even though an out is called, the ball remains in play in regard to any other runner. This rule also covers the following and similar plays: Less than two out, score tied last of ninth inning, runner on first, batter hits a ball out of park for winning run, the runner on first passes second and thinking the home run automatically wins the game, cuts across diamond toward his bench as batter runner circles bases. In this case, the base runner would be called out "for abandoning his effort to touch the next base" and batter runner permitted to continue around bases to make his home run valid. If there are two out, home run would not count (see Rule 7.12). This is not an appeal play. PLAY. Runner believing he is called out on a tag at first or third base starts for the dugout and progresses a reasonable distance still indicating by his actions that he is out, shall be declared out for abandoning the bases. In the above two plays the runners are CONSIDERED actually abandoning their base paths and are treated differently than the batter who struck out as described.
I read that, that you don't necessarily have to leave the base path...also, the prerequisite here is the UMPIRE may judge the act to be considered abandoning.
And finally, OBR 9.01(c) gives "Each umpire has authority to rule on any point not specifically covered in these rules." So, until someone tells me where it's "specifically covered" in the rules....I stand behind my decision.
Everyones got an opinion...who has something to back it up?
[Edited by gumpire on Apr 6th, 2004 at 08:30 PM]