when has a runner passed another runner?

Jake80 · #1 (**permalink**) Mon May 03, 2004, 11:34pm

Had this situation a couple of days ago. Bases loaded. 1 out. Batter hits a fairly deep fly ball to left center that is going to be trouble in the wind. I was in C watching for the catch. Ball drops to the ground and I start looking for the runners. R1 is about a third of the way to second. Meanwhile batter/runner has passed first and taken a wide turn toward second. Now here is the problem. From the angle I had I could not tell if B/R had passed R1. R1 was probably closer to second because he was in a straight line between 1st and 2nd. But if you extended a line through 2nd base to the rightfield fence B/R appeared to be further than R1. I did not call anything because in my judgement B/R did not clearly pass R1. How would you make the call in this situation?

BoomerSooner · #2 (**permalink**) Tue May 04, 2004, 02:32am

I would probably sit on it for a second, and see what happens. If R1 goes to second and BR to first then let things be. Can't really call something unless you are absolutely sure. Similar to the tag rule. If you were busy watching a catch and out of position and the defense appealed a tagging runner you have to be absolutely sure he was off the bag when the catch was made and did not retouch.

greymule · #3 (**permalink**) Tue May 04, 2004, 05:30am

True, you'd have to be sure to call anything. However, distance from 2B would not be the criterion. After BR touched 1B, it would be distance from the 1B/RF foul line.