Circles at home plate

[tibear]

Last of the confusing clinic questions:

On a fly to short center, the runner tries to score from third, but a strong throw beats him by several feet. The runner slides around the catcher and not only avoids the tag but misses the plate by at least a foot. Hoping to bluff it out, the runner nonchalantly start for the dugout, but the catcher starts chasing him. Trying to avoid the catcher, the runner circles around him getting back to the plate. Is the runner safe?


I'll just say the answer key and clinician said yes. I said the baseline for the runner was established as soon as the catcher was attempting tag and should be ruled out for running outside baseline. Clinician said once the runner is past home there is no baseline and is free to run anywhere to get back to plate.