Quote:
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Originally Posted by Dave Reed
Well, I think we have to give serious consideration to (b). The runner's baseline has been, I believe, more precisely defined in the rules that are new in the last two years. The rule now reads:
"Any runner is out when --
(a) (1) He runs more than three feet away from his baseline to avoid being tagged unless his action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball. A runner’s baseline is established when the tag attempt occurs and is a straight line from the runner to the base he is attempting to reach safely; ..." [my emphasis]
Before this new language was inserted, we needed an interpretation. But perhaps the new wording of the rule is intended to mean what it says, and the interpretation we are all used to is no longer completely valid. If so, for a runner who has not yet reached first base but is subject to a tag attempt, the baseline can only run one direction-- towards first base. The runner can't be trying to reach home safely, and so the baseline doesn't extend towards home.
I argue that if no tag is attempted, he is out when when he touches or passes home. If a tag is attempted, he would be out once he further retreats 3 feet.
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The phrase you emphasize is there because a line is the shortest distance between any TWO points.
The rule you are misusing states:
OBR 7.08 Any runner is out when-
(a) (1) He runs more than three feet
away from a direct line between bases to avoid being tagged, unless his action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball;
If you'd rule the runner out onjust because he moves more than three feet towards home on a tag attempt, you would be making up your own rule.