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Mike, while I agree with your interpretation, I can’t find it in the book. I mean, obviously when the umpire calls “TIME” runners have to return to the base last legally touched. But I think it is simply an implied rule. Perhaps it should be added to ASA 8-6/NFHS 8-5 “A Runner Must Return To Their Base”.
ASA 8-3-E/NFHS 8-3-7 deals with which runner has a right to the base when two runners occupy the same base. R2 was not forced to 3B. However, if R2 touched 3B before R1 got back to 3B then R2 owns the bag and R1 would be out if tagged. If the play is killed at this point (oops!) then the last base legally touched by both runners is 3B, and since by rule they can’t both be there R2 goes back rather than R1 moving forward. The premature dead ball call has saved the offense an almost certain out, they don’t get a bonus base on top of it!
I think the rule writers simply assume we will be smart enough not to call “TIME” for no reason when two runners are on the same base!
Ernie
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