[GarthB]

My God. Take a deep breath and re-read my post, s l o w l y.

If the runner/batter is running on either side of the lane to avoid the fielder fielding the ball, there is no ball to be thrown at him. There is only one ball in the game at a time. Get it yet? Please, think. How can someone throw a ball at him while he is avoiding the fielder fielding the ball????????????

If he ran outside or inside or freaking flew over and is now far enough past the fielder that the fielder can plunk him, then he no longer needs to be out of the running lane. Are you following this yet?