[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by Newbie Scott

My question is do you call the runner safe at third right away even though he slid past the base and then call him out if he gets tagged or do you wait to see if he gets back to the base without being tagged out?

First it depends upon what rules you are playing by. Since you are a newbie I doubt you are using HS (FED) rules but just in case you are. In FED, the call is OUT because an "accidental appeal" of a forced to base is allowed.

By that I mean even though the runner beat the throw, he did not TOUCH the base, so if the fielder even "accidentally" touches third base with the ball, in FED we record the out.

In OBR, it depends. Generally speaking it's not good mechanics to make 2 calls on the same play. If it's bang bang meaning the runner overslides the base, trys to scramble back and the fielder attempts a tag, then we make the Call. IMO you don't need to say safe then change "right away" to out, because all the action happened simultaneously.

Now if there is a "pause" in the action meaning the fielder does not attempt a tag then the call is safe.


Would you approach it different if it wasn't a force play?

If the play isn't a force play it is a TIME Play and in that situation we say nothing until some "action" takes place.

Pete Booth