Force Play?

[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by greymule
I'm surprised that after all these years, no definitive ruling has come down concerning the BR retreating toward home after touching 1B.

When was the last time you saw it become an issue in MLB (or even MiLB)?

Approximately never would be my guess.

That's why there's been no "definitive ruling".

There's no valid reason for a BR to return to home *during a play*. There is a valid reason for R1 to return to first during a play.

IF R1 returns in the mistaken belief that he is "supposed to" (that is, a mistaken belief that the return is proper baserunning), then the rules provide for that -- the force is reinstated.

BR cannot claim that the return is in some mistaken belief that the return is proper baserunning. So, the "force" is not reinstated.

Get an out for abandonment, or making a travesty of the game, or running out of the baseline (my take: until BR touches first, there's a reason to return home --to avoid the tag. So, the "baseline" includes back to home. After BR touches first, there's no reason to return, so the "baseline" doesn't extend back towards home). But, don't get an out for a "force play."