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When a base is detached, OBR says the runner can not be called out at that base. Recently I was asked a series of questions about detached bases and it seems that there are a few things that the rule book does not make clear.
The questions were primarily related to one issue: If a runner dislodges a base, when (if at all) should the umpire call "Time"? If time is called, do you assign bases as in obstruction (assign bases they would have reached if...)? Or, if time is called, do you send a runner who was near the next base back? If time is not called, what happens if the defense tags the runner, thinks it was the third out, and allows other runners to continue?
It seems to me that it's reasonable to call "Time" if the runner is tagged out or if continuous action has ended. But suppose the runner sees he can't get to the dislodged base or the spot where the base was (and he doesn't know he can't be tagged out at the base), so he decides to try for the next base. Kill the play? If not, what if he does that and eventually (after rundown) tries to return to the dislodged base but is tagged out? Safe or out?
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