WTF Just Happened at 3rd NY vs LAA

[tibear]

Steve, I understand what your saying but didn't Posada HAVE to retouch third before he could have attempted to proceed to home plate? This means that if Cano was on third as McClelland thought (which he wasn't) that Cano was technically closer to home plate then Posada?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by tibear

Steve, I understand what your saying but didn't Posada HAVE to retouch third before he could have attempted to proceed to home plate? This means that if Cano was on third as McClelland thought (which he wasn't) that Cano was technically closer to home plate then Posada?

No, Posada had no obligation to retouch 3rd base. He had established his baseline when the catcher tried to tag him. He tried to tag Cano first, so there was no play being made on Posada until after that.

[buckyswider]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

No, Posada had no obligation to retouch 3rd base. He had established his baseline when the catcher tried to tag him. He tried to tag Cano first, so there was no play being made on Posada until after that.

Could you please expand on your interpretation there? My take is that he's then established his baseline between the preceding base (2nd) and 3rd. He has obviously retreated beyond the base at that point- and yes, he did touch the base with his foot.

Thanks.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by buckyswider

Could you please expand on your interpretation there? My take is that he's then established his baseline between the preceding base (2nd) and 3rd. He has obviously retreated beyond the base at that point- and yes, he did touch the base with his foot.

Thanks.

Even if he touched the base, when he stepped off again, he can reestablish his baseline and it doesn't matter where he goes UNTIL he is avoiding a tag when a tag attempt is made. At that point he is locked into running between the bases and can only go 3 feet in either direction out of his baseline in order to avoid a tag. The fact that he was on the left field side of 3rd is irrelevant to the enforcement of this rule, similar to the "skunk in the outfield" play.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Posada shouldn't get high before games.