If you're ever feeling down after a game...

[ManInBlue]

What about the commentator's "It wasn't even a close play" comment? It looked VERY close to me. What do I know, I'm an umpire.

[CajunNewBlue]

Could he have been called out for running outside of the lane also? both of his feet stayed inside (fair side) of the foul line the whole way down.
Just my two cents.

[UmpJM]

CajunNewBlue,

No, he could not have been called out on this play for running "outside the lane".

In order for the BR to be called out under the rule, he must both be outside the lane AND interfere with the fielder's opportunity to catch the throw at 1B. If you don't have both conditions, there is no out to be had under the rule.

JM

[jicecone]

Originally Posted by CajunNewBlue

Could he have been called out for running outside of the lane also? both of his feet stayed inside (fair side) of the foul line the whole way down.
Just my two cents.

Welcome, however a lane violation only comes into play when the throw is coming from behind the runner.

Unofficially the rule gives the defense an idea of where the runner should be, so they know where to throw the ball. When the runner is outside of that area,(lane) then they are declared out for interference.

[CajunNewBlue]

Originally Posted by jicecone

Welcome, however a lane violation only comes into play when the throw is coming from behind the runner.

Unofficially the rule gives the defense an idea of where the runner should be, so they know where to throw the ball. When the runner is outside of that area,(lane) then they are declared out for interference.

thanks for the explanation.

[Paul L]

[quote=jicecone] . . .a lane violation only comes into play when the throw is coming from behind the runner.

Usually, but not only. OBR 6.05 says "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 . . .. Comment: . . . The batter-runner is permitted to exit the three-foot lane by means of a step, stride, reach or slide in the immediate vicinity of first base for the sole purpose of touching first base."

Nothing in the rule requires the throw to come from behind the BR. So, a shallow charging F8 snags a screaming one-hopper and fires to first a throw somewhat to the home plate side of the bag. BR runs well fair the entire way to first. F3, with one foot on first, stretches towards home plate to catch the throw, but BR, before reaching first, unintentionally interferes with the catch. Out. Could happen.

[jicecone]

[QUOTE=Paul L]

Originally Posted by jicecone

. . .a lane violation only comes into play when the throw is coming from behind the runner.

Usually, but not only. OBR 6.05 says "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 . . .. Comment: . . . The batter-runner is permitted to exit the three-foot lane by means of a step, stride, reach or slide in the immediate vicinity of first base for the sole purpose of touching first base."

Nothing in the rule requires the throw to come from behind the BR. So, a shallow charging F8 snags a screaming one-hopper and fires to first a throw somewhat to the home plate side of the bag. BR runs well fair the entire way to first. F3, with one foot on first, stretches towards home plate to catch the throw, but BR, before reaching first, unintentionally interferes with the catch. Out. Could happen.

Paul, anything "Could happen" but, look up the intent of the rule and make the call if you like. Also, be prepared to eject the offensive manager for calling out his runner on a bad throw by the defense.

[Rich]

[QUOTE=Paul L]

Originally Posted by jicecone

. . .a lane violation only comes into play when the throw is coming from behind the runner.

Usually, but not only. OBR 6.05 says "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 . . .. Comment: . . . The batter-runner is permitted to exit the three-foot lane by means of a step, stride, reach or slide in the immediate vicinity of first base for the sole purpose of touching first base."

Nothing in the rule requires the throw to come from behind the BR. So, a shallow charging F8 snags a screaming one-hopper and fires to first a throw somewhat to the home plate side of the bag. BR runs well fair the entire way to first. F3, with one foot on first, stretches towards home plate to catch the throw, but BR, before reaching first, unintentionally interferes with the catch. Out. Could happen.

Congratulations on thinking the rulebook is the only possible source for how this is supposed to be called.

[bossman72]

paul,

the throw, by interpretation, has to come from a "magic box" that is basically between the plate and the pitcher's mound. Others on here probably know roughly the dimentions of the box and can give you a more accurate description

[bob jenkins]

I seem to recall that a former poster here, Bfair, once got an interp from one of the recognized authorities that the throw DID NOT need to come from the "box" or "home plate" area.

As a practical matter, though, it will come from this area 99.9% of the time.