Leading
 

FED- Is there any rule which dictates where the runner must take his lead from first base?

Fair territory. What he cannot do is get a running start from behind the base in foul territory.



Tim.

Why has this question come up?

Skunk in the outfield, again...........................?


Tim.

R1 can not position himself in front of F3 in an attempt to screen F3's view of F1 on a pickoff attempt.

8.4.2 Situation G: In the opinion of the umpire, R1, when leading off first base, moves up to the front of the baseline, thus effectively screening F3 from the ball on F1’s attempted pickoff.

Ruling: R1 shall be called out for interference.

Comment: If this is not ruled to be interference, the runner gains an advantage not intended by the rule. This maneuver taught by some coaches shall be penalized.

Another well thought out POS case play in FED.


Tim.

Please cite a rule reference where it states the base runner must take his lead in fair territory.

I am familiar with the 8-4-2-o: Any runner is out when he: positions himself behind a base to get a running start. No mention of fair or foul territory. I suppose runners that stand in foul territory at 3B are guilty of an infraction with your logic.

Been there as long as I can remember. Makes sense to me.

The question was about a lead from first base, not any base.

That is NOT correct.
It does NOT have to be in fair territory to be legal.

The subject is a lead from first base. If you're in foul territory you're behind the base.

Thanks, Rich. And Wayne, I don't care how long the case play has been there, it's ridiculous. Until a ball has been batted the basepaths belongs to the runners.


Tim.

You're most welcome, Lee Harvey.

The rule states positions himself behind a bag to get a running start. This rule is there to prevent runners from taking a running start and timing it so they will have momentum going to the next base on a sacrifice fly. The other rule is there to prevent a base runner from having an advantage to interfere with a throw from F1 to F3.

8-4-2o has nothing to do about where a base runner establishes his lead. It merely states he cannot position himself behind a bag to get a running start. I would think a coach would want a runner with 93 foot lead as opposed to an eighty foot run with a ten foot lead, with a running start no less.

Now show me a rule where it is specifically states a runner must be in fair territory to establish a lead.

You're right Rich - my bad.
I, of course, was thinking about 3rd base.
Thanks.

Ozzy, a coach had asked me about any rule which dictates where the runner may lead. He explained a situation in which a coach had R1 lead at a 45 degree angle toward RF (I couldn't figure out why you'd want to do this)! Since I've never seen or heard of doing this, does R1 have to come in to re-establish the baseline between 1B and 2B on a batted ball?