[greymule]

In ASA, the runner can return to tag up at 1B even if he remains between 2B and 3B when the ball enters DBT. (A couple of years ago, he could not return; thus the un-updated POE contains the stipulation that he was between 2B and 1B). As I remember, in Fed he CANNOT return to 1B if he is on or beyond 2B when the ball enters DBT, even if he has initiated a return.

Here is the part that caused a lot of discussion in ASA, and this is my interpretation: the umpire is supposed to watch the runner after the ball enters DBT. If he starts to retreat to tag up, the ump waits until he tags up and then awards him home. If he proceeds toward 3B, the ump makes the award of home, but as soon as the runner touches 3B, he cannot legally return to tag up.

In ASA, where the runner is at the time the throw that entered DBT was made [my correction] governs the award of bases, no matter whether he has initiated a return. But it is what the runner does after the award is made, not after the time the ball entered DBT, that is key for whether he can return to correct a baserunning error.

Maybe this will help:

Runner leaves 1B too soon on a long fly. He is running toward 3B when the throw sails over F5 and enters DBT. Immediately afterward, the runner slides into 3B. In OBR, that runner would be considered to have proceeded to the next base after the ball became dead, and he would be prohibited from returning legally to tag up at 1B. But in ASA, the time of the award is key. If he proceeds toward home, the umpire makes the award of home. As soon as he touches home (the next base after the award, he cannot return to correct his baserunning error.

At least I think that's right!

[Edited by greymule on Aug 14th, 2003 at 02:31 PM]