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Originally Posted by steve friendly
I need to know when the ball and the runner touch the base at the same time, what is the call? Thank you
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As others have mentioned to you, the answer is not in the rule book. You received excellent responses and I will add this.
There is certain criteria that some umpires adhere to concerning so called "TIES" or what's more commonly referred to in the umpire world as "Coin Flip" calls.
Example: Ground ball deep in the hole, F6 makes a great play and fires to first. The Call is a "coin flip" so in this instance some umpires will give benefit of doubt to the defense for a great play and rule out.
Another example; Same ground ball to F6, B1 is busting it out of the box, and F6 is taking his/her "sweet time" and turns what should be a routine out into a "coin flip". Since the runner was "busting it" even on a routine play, in that instance some umpires will rule safe.
In a nutshell, there is no clear cut answer. I do not know if this "theory" is still adhered to but I heard that some umpires make the call dependent upon where B1's body is at the time ball and runner arrive at approximately the same time.
In other words if B1's foot hit the bag at approximately the same time as the ball but his body was still in front of first base as opposed to after it, the call would be out and vice versa.
Perhaps there should be a "possession arrow" in baseball similiar to college basketball, meaning if the call is that close we have alternating calls. Out then safe depending upon the "out/safe arrow".
Pete Booth