fair/foul - then catch/no-catch

[David Emerling]

Originally Posted by Robert E. Harrison

The mechanic allows the runnners on base the information they need in the order they need it.

Wouldn't the runner primarily care if the ball was caught or not - not whether it was caught on the fair or foul side of the line?

EXAMPLE: R3 at third. No outs. Curving line drive hit toward the right field line. The right fielder dives but it is unclear whether he made the catch. R3 is frozen about 20 feet off the bag at the time. If it's not caught, he can sprint home without returning to the bag. If it is caught, he knows he has to get back and then he can decide whether to tag-up and advance. But the first piece of information he needs is whether the ball is caught or not. I don't see how knowing which side of the line the ball was on is more important.