Collision at Safety Bag - ASA Rule

[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.