BI on base steal Inconsistent??

[tibear]

Just a quick question to see if anyone knows why the rule for BI on a base steal seems to be inconsistent.

i.e. Less then 2 outs:
R1 attempts to steal second, BI called on the play. Batter out, R1 returns to first.
R2 attempts to steal third, BI called on the play. Batter out, R2 returns to second.
R3 attempts to steal home, BI called on the play. R3 out, Batter remains at plate.

2 outs:
Runner attempts to any base, BI called on the play. Batter is called out and inning is over.

Why does baseball have the rules written to be inconsistent? Was there a problem with teams trying to run a set play to steal home with BI and this was created to "over penalize" compared to other bases??

I've always found that consistency is always the best way to enforce rules, so why the inconsistency with regards to this rule??

[thumpferee]

If BI is called and the runner is thrown out, the BI is ignored.

With 2 outs, the batter is out so he doesn't lead off the next inning.

Edited to say, I realize your point on a play at home the runner is out compared to other bases. I would guess the reasoning is to penalize the offense on BI with a runner trying to score and BI occurs.

[GerryB]

My understanding is to not allow the runner to return to third and leave the batter up is to prevent a "try again" on suidcide squeezes. That is, if there were R3 with no outs the offense would potentially have three suidcide squeeze tries (each perhaps with a different BI variation!). The rule as stated allows one chance and that's it if you violate the rules. Runners on R2 and R1 would not create a similar situation.

Rules are imperfect and inconsistent as coaches always try to circumvent them.

[mbyron]

The rule is "inconsistent" in order to prevent an easy sacrifice: R3, less than 2 outs, R3 steals, batter knocks over the catcher. If the batter's out in this case, the sacrifice is too easy. So the rule evolved to call R3 out to prevent this nonsense.

As for the difference between 2 outs and less than 2: the more severe penalty in this case is to call the batter out so that he doesn't lead off the next inning (and no runs can score since he made the 3rd out before reaching 1B).

[tibear]

mbyron,

I understand that they want to penalize the offense for the BI when stealing home. But wouldn't it make sense to simply change the rule to say:
Less then 2 outs, the runner is out...with 2 outs the batter is out.

One rule, easy to remember, no confusion (Lord knows coaches are easy to get confused at the best of times).

[mbyron]

It might make sense from the standpoint of simplifying the rule, but that's not the paramount consideration. In fact, the BI rule as written is the simplest rule that takes into account all of these principles (in order of importance):

1. Penalize the player who committed the infraction, unless
2. Doing so confers an unfair advantage, in which case
3. Penalize the appropriate player to neutralize the advantage.

[tibear]

Oh well, its never going to change so we'll just have to keep explaining to the coaches that there is a difference between stealing home and other bases when it comes to out.

Thanks for the info.