They are taught to take the most direct route to 1B. It becomes a problem only when RLI comes into play and even then most times the throw is made inside/outside with no INT.

Yes, but that doesn't exonerate them from possible RL violations. That's why the BR only needs to be within the lane over the last half, to give him ample opportunity to get within the lane.

Thanks guys for setting me straight on this! Personally, I think the rule is for the better now than it was before because 9x out of 10, the B/R is INTENTIONALLY running inside the foul line to make it more difficult for the defense anyways.

With due respect to Jim (and he's due a LOT), I've inferred over the last 3-5 years that the rules committees at the highest levels of amateur and professional baseball, while finding his opinions worth considering, don't hold them in the same regard as "internet umpires" and his paying customers do, and certainly don't think he has the final word on anything.