Never touched the base (two pitches)

[Rich Ives]

Originally posted by sir_eldren
I understand better now. Thank you for your explanations. So basically, we use a bit of human rationality and good judgment. If the defense doesn't demand he touch the bag by trying to get him out, then we assume that they've given him the base even though he didn't touch it.

Ahh... it becomes a bit clearer.

Thanks,
Craig

If you're talking about the re-touch after an uncaught foul you haven't quite grasped it.

1) An uncaught foul is a dead ball.

2) The defense cannot put the runner out (by tag or appeal) when the ball is dead.

The ball will not be made live until certain conditions are met.

For the foul ball part:

5.09 The ball becomes dead and runners advance one base, or return to their bases, without liability to be put out, when_
e) A foul ball is not caught; runners return. The umpire shall not put the ball in play until all runners have retouched their bases;

The responsibility lies with the umpire and there is no penalty specified. Thus if the player does not retouch he cannot be penalized. There is no assumption of touch involved.

For the ball to be made live, the pitcher must be on the rubber with the ball. The defense can then try a pickoff if they wish, but it is not an appeal for failure to retouch in the 7.10 sense, thus the runner would have to be tagged.