Quote:
Originally Posted by mbcrowder
"The runner is only ruled out for being out of the baseline when he/she is trying to avoid being tagged. The 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. The baseline is not defined as a straight line between two consecutive bases as some people assume."
Your intent was right, but the explanation is slightly inaccurate.
The baseline IS defined as a straight line between two consecutive bases. However, the rule in question does not refer to the baseline at all... it refers to the base PATH. The runner is never out for being out of the baseLINE, but rather for leaving his basePATH to avoid a tag.
|
From the MLB rules site (highlighting is mine):
7.08 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;
FED has similar wording.