Quote:
Originally posted by greymule
The play at 3B isn't really the same, since runners cannot overrun when retreating, but did the preceding runner stay in the (extended) baseline, or retreat slightly toward 2B such that the following runner "passed" him?
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[QUOTE]
Originally posted by mcrowder
My question is about whether this is actually passing or not. A runner who "overruns third" when returning to third ends up in left field, right? That is not (necessarily) closer to 2nd base than the 3rd base bag is, so I'm not sure you have an overrun here unless he overruns it and takes a step toward 2nd. Standing in left field is simply OFF third base, not BEHIND third base with respect to whether the next runner has passed him or not.
Yes, he stayed in the extended baseline. And, yes, I thought about the same situation at first base and came to the conclusion that it was not the same thing.
My theory was that 'literally', the runner advancing from 2nd was now in front of the runner who occupied third, so there had to be an infraction, and an out.
Like I said, I'd never seen passing in this fashion before (actually at the bag, not between bags), so I called what I thought to be correct. I'm still not sure if I made the correct call, but I did get an out in a blowout game, so that has to mean something!
Incidentally, the preceding runner was also their first baseman, and during casual discussions the next half inning, he couldn't explain why he overran the bag (by 2 steps, at least). Just said it was stupid on his part.
{{EDIT}} Let me add that when the preceding runner overran the bag, he then crossed back in front of the following runner and they crossed the plate in their proper order. Don't know if that means anything, but it may clarify.
[Edited by Peruvian on Jul 9th, 2004 at 10:46 AM]