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Originally Posted by Mountaineer
Why does this rule bug you? It's a safety issue for the play at first base to avoid a collision. Why would the runner want to stand on the orange part of the base in the first place?
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It is not a "safety" tool as long as you allow the runner and fielder legally cross paths. The base itself is a dummying down item that makes up for poor coaching and weak mechanics at that position.
The runner wants to stand on the portion in foul territory to avoid being hit by a pull hitter, or to get a running start off the bag.
I've already seen this occur. A runner has her lead foot on the outside edge of the base. As the pitcher begins, the runner begins her motion. Her first step is on the inside edge of the base which not only gives her extra momentum, but a "starting block" off which she can push and the pitcher still hasn't released the ball! Same goes on a caught fly ball. We already have a rule prohibiting a runner from standing behind the base to get a running start, but this allows a runner to get the same momentum as described above.