Drag Bunt down first runner hit by throw and called out!

[rrussum]

Last night we had a man on first with my son up at the plate he drag bunts from the left side up the first base line and as he makes his way to first he is running striding with the foul line in the center of his body, the catcher throws the ball and it hits him in the back as he crosses first basse, the umpire calls him out stating he was in fair territory when the thrown ball hit him , I always thought it was the catchers responsibility to step into the diamond and throw to first at his own risk with the runner like a pedestrian having the right of way. Later I thought this to be a judgment call and after the fact I wondered should I have asked the home plate ump to ask for help from the first base ump anyone seen or heard of this rule?

[irefky]

BR has their running lane, if he was running on the actual base line, correct call.

[rrussum]

Thank you so that I have it clear should I teach him to run in foul territory?

[LMan]

The B/R is generally permitted some leeway as he actually crosses 1B, since he must move to fair territory to touch (1B is in fair territory).

J/R sez:

It is not INT if:

(e) "his exit of the 45-foot lane is a step, stride, reach, or slide in the immediate vicinity of first base, with the sole purpose of touching the base (first base is partially outside the running lane).

Now the above is umpire judgement, naturally, as to if it applies to your situation.

[UmpJM]

rrussum,

It sounds like your son was called out for what is commonly termed "runner's lane interference". Without having seen the play, it is impossible to comment meaningfully on the quality of the call. But it certainly sounds like a "proper" call.

Elements such as the quality of the throw, how close the BR actually was to 1B at the time he was hit (in the umpire's sole judgement, of course), and other things may or may not have been judged correctly, but I certainly can't say. The BU is free to seek input from the PU should he so desire, but he is under no obligation whatsoever to do so.

Below is the relevant rule (OBR).

6.05

A batter is out when -

...(k) In running the last half of the distance from home base to first base, while the ball is being fielded to first base, he runs outside (to the right of) the three-foot line, or inside (to the left of) the foul line, and in the umpire’s judgment in so doing interferes with the fielder taking the throw at first base, in which case the ball is dead; except that he may run outside (to the right of) the threefoot line or inside (to the left of) the foul line to avoid a fielder attempting to field a batted ball;
Rule 6.05(k) Comment: The lines marking the three-foot lane are a part of that lane and a batter-runner is required to have both feet within the three-foot lane or on the lines marking the lane.

JM

[rrussum]

I appreciate all the input, this is a fantastic forum and I will be certain to spread the word.

[gsf23]

Originally Posted by rrussum

I appreciate all the input, this is a fantastic forum and I will be certain to spread the word.

Now you did it. You guys were way too nice. There are going to be rats all over the place now..