[PeteBooth]

Originally Posted by Spence

Can a runner be called for abandoning his base if he's still inside the white lines? Say a guy hits a ball that he thinks is going to score the runner and end the game. He touches first and then starts heading towards the third base dugout thinking the game is over. Runner is still heading home.

Without having any rule lookup I would guess that its not since he is still in white lines. No rule saying he can't run from to 2nd via the pitcher's mound, right?

Here is the rule

OBR 7.08(a) Comment: Any runner after reaching first base who leaves the baseline heading for his dugout or his position believing that there is no further play, may be declared out if the umpire judges the act of the runner to be considered abandoning his efforts to run the bases.

Less than two out, score tied last of ninth inning, runner on first, batter hits a ball out of park for winning run, the runner on first passes second and thinking the home run automatically wins the game, cuts across diamond toward his bench as batter-runner circles bases. In this case, the base runner would be called out “for abandoning his effort to touch the next base” and batter-runner permitted to continue around bases to make his home run valid. If there are two out, home run would not count (see Rule 7.12). This is not an appeal play.

PLAY. Runner believing he is called out on a tag at first or third base starts for the dugout and progresses a reasonable distance still indicating by his actions that he is out, shall be declared out for abandoning the bases.

In a nutshell if the umpire judges that a runner is making no effort to advance then said runner can be called out for abandonment.

Pete Booth