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Originally posted by greymule

OBR. R1 on 3B, R2 on 2B. Batter hits a very high blast down the LF line. R1 takes three steps toward home and then stops and turns to watch the ball. R2 can see that the ball will clear the fence easily, so he runs. R2 rounds 3B and passes R1 (a) before the ball passes the pole on the foul side, (b) after the ball passes the pole on the foul side but before it hits in the stands.

In either case, is R2 out for passing R1?

If R2 would be out in (b), what if the umpire had yelled "Foul" immediately after the ball passed the pole on the foul side, and then R2 passed R1 before it hit in the stands?

I have a game next weekend and fear that this might happen and I won't know what to call.

Assuming 2 man system.

The PU calls Fair / Foul
The BU is watching the runner(s)

Therefore, as BU since you don't know if the ball is Fair / Foul you call the out and let play continue until you either hear FOUL or see your partner point Fair.

If it's a Foul Ball, then simply put the runners back. If the ball was Fair then you have the out.

This mechanic is similar to when a ball is hit to the outfield and we don't know for certain if ball went under a fence or got stuck somehere. The fielders raise their hands, runners are instructed to keep running. We go out and check and if the ball indeed went under the fence or got stuck we simply put the runners back.

A foul ball is a Dead ball so it's easier to undo then to call it the other way.

In summary, you call the out as soon as it happens, if the ball is indeed foul then the runners are simply put back.

If you don't call the out and the ball is FAIR then you have a mess to sort out.

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