Detached base

[Alan G]

When a base is detached, OBR says the runner can not be called out at that base. Recently I was asked a series of questions about detached bases and it seems that there are a few things that the rule book does not make clear.

The questions were primarily related to one issue: If a runner dislodges a base, when (if at all) should the umpire call "Time"? If time is called, do you assign bases as in obstruction (assign bases they would have reached if...)? Or, if time is called, do you send a runner who was near the next base back? If time is not called, what happens if the defense tags the runner, thinks it was the third out, and allows other runners to continue?

It seems to me that it's reasonable to call "Time" if the runner is tagged out or if continuous action has ended. But suppose the runner sees he can't get to the dislodged base or the spot where the base was (and he doesn't know he can't be tagged out at the base), so he decides to try for the next base. Kill the play? If not, what if he does that and eventually (after rundown) tries to return to the dislodged base but is tagged out? Safe or out?

[Marty Rogers]

On a play when a base dislodges, I would
treat it like any other play. I would never
call Time until all continuous action on that
play has stopped.

A player CAN be called out when a base dislodges,
on the first tag only. If he is Safe, he
cannot be tagged for not having contact with
the dislodged base.

If the ball gets away, and following runners
advance, they just have to touch where the
base would be if it were in place(or the base itself).
A dislodged base does NOT mean that following runners can't
be tagged out at that base. It is only on the
initial play.

There is no awarding of bases (unless,
of course, the ball goes out of play),
and certainly no such thing as "base obstruction."
Until ALL action has stopped (and Time has been
called), the runners go at their own risk.

[Gee]

OBR 7.08(c)

"APPROVED RULING: (1) If the impact of a runner breaks a base loose from its position, no play can be made on that runner at that base if he had reached the base safely.

APPROVED RULING: (2) If a base is dislodged from its position during a play, any following runner on the same play shall be considered as touching or occupying the base if, in the umpire's judgment, he touches or occupies the point marked by the dislodged bag." G.