BR Abandonment vs Force-outs

[David Emerling]

Originally posted by mcrowder

Really? Where do you find that?

Also: this is not a runner, but the batter-runner - a significant difference in many rules.

David - if you accept that BR is out because he entered the dugout, then YOU MUST allow the runners to return to their original bases (ie drop the forceouts), since there is no one FORCING them to advance anymore.

Not allowing BR to exit the dugout and go to first, but keeping the forces in place would be (as I was accused of earlier) having your cake and eating it too.

[Edited by mcrowder on Nov 10th, 2005 at 10:18 AM]

I'm not debating anybody on this issue. I'm just trying to understand it and am willing to be convinced either way. I find it very intersting especially since this play *did* happen in the context of something that *could* happen.

Originally, I said that I would allow the BR to emerge from the dugout if he promptly realized his mistake. I said that because I was unaware of any provision in OBR that states that he is automatically out. Now, I discover, that there is apparently something in the MLBUM that states the BR is, in fact, out for entering the dugout.

OK, fine, I can accept that.

But, is he out IMMEDIATELY? That's important because it determines the status of the force plays.

I don't think that aspect has been addressed by any official interpretation or authoritative opinion, has it?

Something just doesn't seem right about the defense having to keep tabs on the timing of the BR entering the dugout in order to determine whether they have tag the other runners or not.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN