BR Retreats To Avoid Tag

[UMP25]

This play occurred in a semi-final summer collegiate league tournament game in early August. I was on the bases when the BR hit a squibber back to the pitcher moving toward the 1st base line. As F1 attempted to tag the BR, the BR retreated toward home a few steps and F1 gave up his attempt to tag him. Finally, someone from the defensive team's dugout yelled, "Tag him!" So F1 takes a few steps toward the plate and tags the BR.

At the time, there were runners on 1st and 2nd, both of whom advanced to their next bases. R1, who was now on 2nd, yells out, "No, he's out anyway because he went back toward the plate." After play had stopped, I turned around and politely told R1 that that wasn't true and that the BR is out for retreating, absent a tag, only if he reaches the plate. To my shock, R1 begins to get into an argument with me, telling me, "You don't know the rules. He's out." No, I didn't eject R1, but I did laugh and had some more fun with him.

Frickin' idiot.

Oh, BTW, a reminder that if a BR is retreating toward the plate, obstruction on a fielder (F1, F2, etc.) is NOT called unless it's intentional.

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by UMP25

Oh, BTW, a reminder that if a BR is retreating toward the plate, obstruction on a fielder (F1, F2, etc.) is NOT called unless it's intentional.

Very good point. It would be easy to overlook that piece.