Let's go one step further on the original post. If the runner on 3rd is heads up enough to return to second on the errant throw by the pitcher, has he now rightfully acquired second base? Assuming as brought forth in a previous post the ball is live.

As long as the ball never goes dead. Once the ball is dead, a player has no right to return to a base they missed, unless it's to retouch on a defense error (ball thrown out of play).

touching a prior base
 

Once a runner has touched a succeeding base, they lose the right to return to an untouched base. For example, in MacGuire's record home run, he missed first base and was called back to touch it before touching second. If he had touched second, the defence could have appealed after the ball was put back into play and the home run would have been negated on the failure to touch first.

This is not true in OBR. As long as the runner does not touch an advance base after the ball goes dead, he may correct his error.

This is true ONLY when the ball goes out of play. In your example, it was a dead ball on the HR. In the OP, the ball is live, and the runner MAY return to correct his baserunning error.

You are correct. As long as a succeeding base is not touched, you can return to touch it.

This i what I meant: BR hits long shot over F9's head. BR misses first, and touches second. On the way to third, F9 throws ball over F5, sailing into stands. BR has no right to return to first for a touch. He takes penalty as given, then defense can appeal the miss at first.

mbryon was correct. However, your example is wrong for OBR and NCAA. The runner can return unless he touches a next base after the ball goes dead on a overthrow. See PBUC 3.10 or J/R Chapter 9 B(3)

That is not what I said. But I am correct.

You are wrong. If a runner touches no advance base after the ball goes out of play, he can return to any preceding base to correct an error, dead ball notwithstanding. If he misses first and is in between third and home when the ball goes out of play, he can still legally rectify his error.

Or MLBUM 5.12.

Fixed that for ya. :cool: