[greymule]

Thanks, Bob. Your explanation, however, conflicts with that of nine01c. To my question,

What if the runner had gone directly back to 1B from his position between 2B and 3B, missing 2B by several body lengths? Does he still get credit for touching 2B if he does so the "last time by"?

nine01c answered that "last time by made his advance legal." But apparently that's not so.

Am I correct in saying the following?:

"If a runner has missed retouching 2B by 20 feet, he cannot, once he returns to 1B, correct his gross error, either by running to 2B and then 1B, or by 'last time by.' Regardless, the defense must still appeal."