No idea on the reasoning. My dad actually asked about the play, and asked if baseball had a similar rule.

I agree - that rule is not consistent with other rules in ASA. I can understand why they want to call BR out (I don't agree... but I understand) - but it should merely be an out for running out of the basepath (pretend the line from BR to the plate - not an actual base in this order - doesn't exist, I guess) - not interference and all runners return.

The reason I don't agree with the rule, even though I understand it, is that it is also not consistent with other rules. You wouldn't call R1 on 3rd out for retreating to 3rd to avoid a tag, even if R1 was forced. Why is BR different?

thats the problem with doing baseball and softball....differences and keeping them sorted out. I think I am leaning towards liking the softball rule that the runner is called out. Now let me think on why. :)

From a baseball perspective, I strongly dislike the softball rule.

I like the baseball rule for baseball games. There is a base running strategy to not running into a tag and making them either chase you or take the force at 1B.

I agree, and feel softball should change to match. I can't see WHY it was added in the first place.

Yes, indeed, there is strategy. Runner on 2B only, batter bunts to the first baseman who, moving in, attempts to tag him. The batter-runner stops and retreats so the first baseman will burn time either trying to tag him or go to touch first base, giving the runner on 2B an opportunity to advance to 3B. Seen it many times in 30 years. Strategy. That's why I do baseball and not softball. Well, one of a number of reasons...

JJ

I do a lot of softball, and I never liked that "BR can't retreat" rule. (In ASA, runners return TOI, by the way.) But there's also a rule that a BR who takes off her helmet is out, but forced runners remain forced.

Aside from the obvious things, softball treats many, many plays differently. Obstruction, nullifying runs, what can and can't be appealed, awarding of bases, runners hit by batted ball, what constitutes a force on appeal, no last time by, BOO; it goes on and on.

There are also some softball plays—right in the casebook—in which the offense benefits because of deliberate interference by a BR or runner.