Quote:
Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve
More serious note. When a runner "tags" on fly ball, but isn't actually in contact with the base when (or after) the ball is caught, would you (asking youngump, but applies to all) similarly (and consistently) deny an appeal because she didn't "leave" the base. If being at the base but not in contact is not leaving it, would you deny a pickoff tag (okay, that rule says in contact, but my point is where are you drawing the line??)?
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I can't actually imagine a situation where a runner would not be in contact with the bag long enough to matter and I wouldn't determine it to be leaving the base. A runner tagged while not in contact with a base is out, so we're talking about the specific case where a runner is standing next to the base and they appeal by touching the bag. Any runner who has been off long enough for that to matter has left the base.
It's my judgment as to what leave a base means and standing on one leg or straddling a base for a while is leaving it. Shifting the feet in a way that temporarily breaks contact is not.
If I see a runner shift her feet in a way that breaks contact and the coach comes out and says did you see her off the base, I can truthfully say "coach I didn't see her leave the base; but I'll be sure and watch all the runners more carefully." If you inadvertenly happen to see a runner shift her feet in a way that momentarily breaks contact with the base and the coach comes out and says did you see that, what do you say?
I still maintain this is an entirely academic conversation as unless I'm missing something you're telling me, we're both going to do the same thing on the field, we're just going to have different approaches to getting there.