Foul Tip
 

R1 on first, 1 out. R1 steals second on the pitch which is a foul tip. F2 throws ball back to F1. R1 walks back to first base, F1 is instructed to go over and tag R1 who is standing on first base. Is R1 out or allowed to stay on first base after stealing second. U2 explains that R1 was on first when tagged so he is safe as he was allowed to return.

If I was working this game, I have R1 as out since he was now on first base after he acquired second base and he was tagged while not on his base. Would I have been correct or not.

Thanks

tominator,

You would have been incorrect.

JM

JM:

Nuts :) Good thing I wasn't working this game then. Educate me on why after stealing a base on a live ball, the runner can go back. This a FED ruleset (not that it would make a difference).

Thanks for the feedback.

tominator,

You are correct that the R1 legally stole 2B on the foul tip and could have legally remained at 2B.

However, there is no rule preventing him from returning to 1B, as long as he does so before the pitcher is set to throw a subsequent pitch. (In that case, he would be out under the OBR 7.01 Comment. The BRD points out that this is a "point not covered" under FED rules, and recommends treating as in OBR.)

Once he reaches 1B, he has once again "legally acquired" it since no other runner has a "senior claim" to that base. Therefore, his contact with 1B affords him protection from being tagged out.

JM

I might be able to answer my own question. 8-2-2 talks about returning runners. So, if a runner decides he wants to return instead of advance, he can do so as long as he correctly touches bases in reverse order. So, in the OP, going from first to second and back to first without being tagged is legal. I guess I never thought about a runner returning on a live ball other than a caught fly situation. Am I close to being correct on that?

JM:

Thanks for the clarification. I learned something new today. I appreciate your help.

Tom