Yes I did indeed go down the out of base path rout and it does not appear to apply to this situation unless the umpire decides the runner is taking that path to avoid the tag. I think I would only call this in this situation if the pitcher had the ball and the runner ran around her to avoid getting tagged.
So, it looks like the batter/runner can take a patch anwhere between where they realize the dropped 3rd strike to 1st bae, as long as the umpire does not judge they are avoiding a tag.
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