Can forced runner retreat along baseline?

[greymule]

Frazz, there is a rule in softball that the batter-runner, between home and 1B, cannot "step backward to avoid or delay a tag." It's considered interference. The BR is out and all runners return to the last base touched at the time of the interference. Maybe that's the root of some of the confusion.

[Frazz]

Originally Posted by greymule

Frazz, there is a rule in softball that the batter-runner, between home and 1B, cannot "step backward to avoid or delay a tag." It's considered interference. The BR is out and all runners return to the last base touched at the time of the interference. Maybe that's the root of some of the confusion.

That is interesting. Some of the umpires I talked to do softball actually... not baseball. It could be.

Thanks,
Marco

[DG]

If I was F5 I would just go tag 3B when runner gave up on trying to reach, since there is no hope of getting a DP, get the lead runner easily.

Nothing wrong with runner being smart.

[greymule]

"If I was F5 I would just go tag 3B when runner gave up on trying to reach, since there is no hope of getting a DP, get the lead runner easily."

If the play presents itself, you can run R2 back a few steps, throw to 2B for the force on R1, and then you have R2 trapped.

[Frazz]

Originally Posted by greymule

"If I was F5 I would just go tag 3B when runner gave up on trying to reach, since there is no hope of getting a DP, get the lead runner easily."

If the play presents itself, you can run R2 back a few steps, throw to 2B for the force on R1, and then you have R2 trapped.

Yes... either one... or just play 2B and 1B and close the inning... and leave R2 wandering where he is.

[DG]

Originally Posted by greymule

"If I was F5 I would just go tag 3B when runner gave up on trying to reach, since there is no hope of getting a DP, get the lead runner easily."

If the play presents itself, you can run R2 back a few steps, throw to 2B for the force on R1, and then you have R2 trapped.

Uh, R2 just stands there as you throw to 2b? And the ball is now behind him so how is he trapped? Can't see this happening.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by greymule

"If I was F5 I would just go tag 3B when runner gave up on trying to reach, since there is no hope of getting a DP, get the lead runner easily."

If the play presents itself, you can run R2 back a few steps, throw to 2B for the force on R1, and then you have R2 trapped.

If F5 spends time running R2 back he probably won't get the force at 2B. If F5 throws it right away F4 will turn for the DP and R2 will make it to 3B as F5 is somewhere else.

[greymule]

Disagree. I've seen this play more than once. F5 doesn't have to run R2 back very far—just enough. If R2 is about halfway to 3B when F5 throws to F4, there should be time to get R2. Obviously, the throws have to be quick, so you don't see the play at levels where F6 is still cutting off F2's throws to 2B with a runner on 3B.

It's the same as R1, ground ball to F4, who attempts to tag R1. (We've all seen plays in which F4 attempts to tag R1 rather than throw to F6 at 2B.) R1 backs up to delay the tag. The play is to throw to 1B to get the BR and then play on R1.

Obviously, if R2 has progressed far enough toward 3B, the play isn't going to be possible. It requires a ground ball to F5's left, with the "confrontation" with R2 occurring quickly.

[UmpTTS43]

Somewhat related. Don't have books on me but could someone give me the reference for OBR saying it is legal for BR to retreat towards 1st. I know where it is in NCAA, but not in OBR.

Thanks

[celebur]

Originally Posted by greymule

Frazz, there is a rule in softball that the batter-runner, between home and 1B, cannot "step backward to avoid or delay a tag." It's considered interference. The BR is out and all runners return to the last base touched at the time of the interference. Maybe that's the root of some of the confusion.

That was my initial thought too. That rule is also sometimes misunderstood by players (and apparently some local umpires) to apply to all runners in force situations. I've had it come up twice this year alone where the defense was sure the forced runner should be out for simply retreating to their base to delay a tag.

So I could see that both the correct and misunderstood softball rule could easily confuse some umpires doing both games. But Frazz, even in softball, the runner in the OP did nothing wrong.