Collision at Safety Bag - ASA Rule

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by davidrimi

I've done a lot of research but found nothing on point.

Grounder to 1B. He runs across the double bag and steps on the safety bag and collided with the batter-runner. Batter-runner called out.

My thought was that since the 1B ran across and stepped on the safety bag instead of rounding and stepping on the inside bag, it caused an avoidable collision which is why the bag is there in the first place.

Or, alternatively, the 1B had no right to touch the safety bas since he wasn't pulled into the bag by an errant throw.

Your take?

Shopping around for a second opinion, eh?

You'll get the same answer here that you got on the other forum...

[davidrimi]

Thanks to all who replied. It is funny how sarcastic people can be or just trolling. No social skills, I say.

I merely asked a question that I thought a rule may have applied. I know that if the runner does not touch the safety bag, the defense can appeal the play for an out.

I merely thought that it may work both ways. The safety bag is there for a reason. I would imagine it's to protect the 1B. But he/she can run across the bag causing a collision without repercussions? No protections for the runner?

Apparently not!

[Altor]

Your complaint is with the rules writers, not with those who enforce the rules.

[BretMan]

Originally Posted by davidrimi

Thanks to all who replied. It is funny how sarcastic people can be or just trolling. No social skills, I say.

I merely asked a question that I thought a rule may have applied. I know that if the runner does not touch the safety bag, the defense can appeal the play for an out.

I merely thought that it may work both ways. The safety bag is there for a reason. I would imagine it's to protect the 1B. But he/she can run across the bag causing a collision without repercussions? No protections for the runner?

Apparently not!

It's the nature of the game, especially arround bases, that there will be times when two players will be hustling to occupy the same spot on the field. It's inevitable that sometimes they will contact each other.

The double first base was designed to reduce collisions. It's an unrealistic expectation to think that it would eliminate them.

There are all sorts of amendments and exceptions to the double base rule- the rule itself is almost an entire page long in the rule book! Most of the exceptions cover the typical plays you see at first base, with a fielder standing at the base waiting to receive a throw and a runner trying to get there as fast as he can. The rule will cover most situations at first base, but it's never going to cover all of them.

It just so happens that the play you asked about isn't covered by any special exception or amendment. It's just two players hustling to reach a single point on the field. In that respect, it's really no different than a play that could happen at any other base- they might bump into each other.

[Tru_in_Blu]

This may be further muddied by the fact that a BR can overrun first base and a runner may overrun home plate. At second and third bases, the runner would need to maintain contact with the base or risk being tagged out if s/he were to go past or lose contact with the base.

We had a play at the plate a while back where the catcher went to retrieve an overthrow on the first base side. He got the ball and saw the runner trying to score. They both did a head first dive to the plate. These were two big guys and I was surprised both walked away apparently uninjured.

The call by my partner at HP was runner out due to crashing into the fielder. Someone ended up being ejected - not sure if it was the runner or his coach. After the game, partner was proud that he got his "first ejection of the season".

I told him I disagreed with his call and the ejection. The EJ happened because he didn't just walk back to his position after the discussion but rather followed the ejectee to further aggravate him.

Glad this umpire is no longer with our association.

[davidrimi]

Thanks again to all! Especially, BretMan!