Quote:
Originally posted by ronald
BR hits a ball off the LF fence, misses 1B, touches and rounds 2B. Then BR sees F7 firing the ball toward 3B, so BR stops 20 feet off 2B. The ball sails into DBT. BR starts for 3B, so we make the award: home.
That is the same play we received at a DCASA clinic concerning awarding of bases and retouching. However there was no talk about what direction the runner is going or if he/she makes a move one way or another. There was no mention of not being able to get 1 inch from the next awarded base (3rd in our example) and returning to touch 1st base.
I'll bring it up at our next GWASA meeting with one of the members who attended the UIC meeting in Oklahoma to get their understanding and will try to get hold of Judy Cole who went over this play in the DCASA clinic.
While I'm doing that, can someone venture a reason as to why when the ball is dead we would not let them start one way, realize they need to go back and retouch and then let the runner do it?
[Edited by ronald on Mar 18th, 2003 at 11:04 PM]
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The direction IS irrelevant. In the case above, once the ball is ruled dead, the umpire should hesitate and allow the runner to do what they want. Remember, during a dead ball period, the runner must be permitted complete their task prior to any further action.
Once the umpire is satisfied the runner is satisfied that they are where they want to be, then you announce the award. Once the award is announced and the runner TOUCHES or passes an awarded base, they may not go back an retouch any base missed or left too soon. It doesn't make a difference if the runner is 65' or 1" away from that bag.
Following is the reason offered by Bernie Profato for the rule change:
"To prevent the possibility that once a base runner advances, they may not return to any base they've gon beyond on the award, This would permit the defensive team to make any appeal as soon as the base runner advanced to or past the next base."