out of base line
 

First i want to thank everyone for all the replies, it helps when you are new starting our. to get answers to questions that can be interpreted several ways.
Here is my next question that happened last night.
ball being thrown from outfield for a play at the plate. catcher catches it about 3 or 4 feet up the baseline tword 3rd. What is the limit of the runner going around his tag from catcher. how far can the runner go to avoid the tag at home and than come back once he passes catcher to touch home...Is there a out of baseline at the plate....how far can a runner go to avoid a tag and than touch the plate...

Rule 7.08(a)1.

Remember that his "baseline" is not established until the tag attempt is made. In other words, he can run right along the dugout on his way to the plate as long as no tag attempt is being made.

7.08
Any runner is out when --
(a) (1) He runs more than three feet away from a direct line between bases to avoid being tagged unless his action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball;

CTblu's point is that the 3 ft baseline rule only comes in to play to avoid a tag. A runner could choose to run third to home by way of the hot dog vendor if there's no play - EXCEPT in this scenario we have a catcher only 3-4 ft in front of the plate. So within the reach of the catcher the runner can only vary 3 ft from a direct line between the hot dog vendor and the plate.

HEY - would the hands be considered part of the hot dog?

I wanted him to get in the practice of opening up the rule book and actually reading the rule, rather than expecting us to do all his homework. I don't want him to turn into another Dan.

Sometimes my hands are part of my hot dog...

As F2 fields the ball, the runner already has established a baseline.

If the runner then goes to avoid the tag, the umpire has to make the judgement as to whether or not it was three feet or not.

It will of course vary by level of ball, but try to remember that a good slide also can make for an interesting play and the runner is NOT out of the baseline.

Thanks
David

Be very careful of what you bite.

Bob

Important note: don't confuse "baseline" with the actual chalk line that is down between home and third.

Check out this NCAA video (about 2 min) that explains the baseline rule:

https://www.eofficials.com/ESO_Repos...tin%20%202.swf

This takes a few minutes to load, so be patient.

This is one of the 237 errors in the rule book.