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[3appleshigh]

The catcher should be taught that it is better to hit the runner, then to lob it past the firstbaseman.

[archangel]

Originally Posted by 3appleshigh

The catcher should be taught that it is better to hit the runner, then to lob it past the firstbaseman.

What I see taught is for F3, who is looking at the BR coming towards him, to hold glove out to the "open" side, away from runner, to give F2 a good target...

[mike1989]

so back to my original question. Is it legal for a baserunner to run inside the foul line the last half of the distance to first base?

[bossman72]

Originally Posted by mike1989

so back to my original question. Is it legal for a baserunner to run inside the foul line the last half of the distance to first base?

Yes, as long as he doesn't interfere with the throw from home plate area. It's NOT an automatic interference call if he's out of the lane. You have to consider factors discussed earlier in the thread.

[kylejt]

Originally Posted by bossman72

Yes, as long as he doesn't interfere with the throw from home plate area. It's NOT an automatic interference call if he's out of the lane. You have to consider factors discussed earlier in the thread.

Interference of the throw is NOTHING. Interference of the CATCH, while out of the lane, is the violation.

As always, FED is the exception.

so back to my original question. Is it legal for a baserunner to run inside the foul line the last half of the distance to first base?

Yes, as long as he doesn't interfere with the defensive player attempting to field the throw at first, he can run wherever he wishes.

Originally Posted by kylejt

Interference of the throw is NOTHING. Interference of the CATCH, while out of the lane, is the violation.

As always, FED is the exception.



Yes, as long as he doesn't interfere with the defensive player attempting to field the throw at first, he can run wherever he wishes.

[B]From the FED verbatim
g. he runs outside the three-foot running lane (last half of the distance from home plate to first base), while the ball is being fielded or thrown to first base; or
1. This infraction is ignored if it is to avoid a fielder who is attempting to field the batted ball or if the act does not interfere with a fielder or a throw.[/B]

[PeteBooth]

Is it legal for a baserunner to run inside the foul line the last half of the distance to first base?

[/QUOTE]

Remember you cannot rule interference until IN FACT the runner interferes.

It's no different than this question?

Is it legal for a runner to miss a base.

Answer: YES UNLESS the defense appeals

Therefore, the answer to your question is

Yes it is legal for a base runner to run outside the foul line the last half of the distance to first base.

Pete Booth

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by mike1989

so back to my original question. Is it legal for a baserunner to run inside the foul line the last half of the distance to first base?

Think of it this way: The rule doesn't prohibit the B/R from running outside the lane, it prohibits him from interfering with the fielder's catch while running outside the lane.

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by 3appleshigh

The catcher should be taught that it is better to hit the runner, then to lob it past the firstbaseman.

The catcher should not be taught anything of the sort.

The catcher should be taught to clear the running lane, ignore the BR, and throw to F3 as if there was no runner. If it turns out BR illegally interferes with a quality throw, you have an out.

Any coach teaching the catcher to hit the runner runs the risk of getting a no-INT call if the umpire rules the throw was a try to hit the runner as opposed to a quality throw to retire him.