Double First Base (ASA Rules)

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by Little Jimmy
Irish,

Just a question, not a challenge. If F3 drops a routine throw, picks it up 10 feet in foul territory, then dives back to white bag with batter runner stopping 5 feet away to avoid contact, that is essentially a routine out?

First off, you must remember that a player in possession of the ball has equal right to any base or basepath as the runner, so it isn't possible to have obstruction of any type.

As I write this I see the similarities with F4 muffing a grounder, then diving into 2nd base (in front of advancing runner) to get runner on a force.

Same as above.

Has there ever been a thought that a rule REQUIRING F1 to use orange on that type of play would add to the supposed safety of the orange base?

Since BR cannot be required to "know" the direction from where the ball is coming, they cannot be held responsible for knowing to go to the white base.

Only so much can be done to avoid collisions and the committees do the best they can without affecting the game. Things cannot be perfect for everyone all of the time.

To those who want every little detail addressed and prevented (and I've been approached by parents with this attitude), my response is that the game is the game. If anyone has any problem with it, maybe it is they who should change paths. There is only so much which can be done with rules before the game of softball no longer exists as the game we know.