[Tru_in_Blu]

For the first part of this string, I'm in agreement with the abandonment argument as presented by Steve. Similar to an uncaught third strike, the B/R can take any weird path to first base provided s/he hasn't entered DBT.

As far as the tangential scenario that was proposed, let's assume for a moment that this is slow pitch. BU is watching the B/R and sees the miss of first base as the runner slides safely into second base. At this point, PU doesn't realize that the runner missed the base. He concludes playing action is over and simply calls "time". Or, there may have been a collision on a slide at second where the runner or a defender becomes injured. The BU likely will call time in that case.

So once time is called, whether rightly or wrongly, are we going to allow the runner to return to 1B to tag it and return to 2B? During a dead ball or time out period?

I think I'm not and if the defense appeals prior to the next pitch, I'll call an out. Is that wrong? If asked about it by the offensive coach, I'll say the runner should have touched it originally and can't take advantage of re-tagging during a time out.