Unusual play

[BigUmpJohn]

This happened during the final games of the season. This wasn't my game, but this was the first time I've ever seen this sort of play.

Bases loaded one out. R1 off with the pitch. Line drive to F4 for out two. Instead of throwing to home, they chased R3 back to first. R1, seeing that the ball was caught, hesitated, but did not head back to 3B. Instead, the runner headed home and beat the throw to the plate. The offensive coaches then started screaming at the runner to return to third base before getting called out on appeal. The runner did so safely. Everyone was confused including R1, and to be honest, me.

The coaches came out and appealed that the runner failed to retouch home on the way back to third base. The runner was ruled safe because I think that in the umpire's judgment, the runner never passed home.

Couple questions. First, once the runner touches home, are they allowed to head back to a previous base? I thought that once the runner reached home plate, they aren't allowed to retreat to retouch a base. Second, does the runner actually have to retouch home? They touched it once and there are no bases after that, so why is there a need to retouch?

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Dakota]

Speaking ASA.

Originally posted by BigUmpJohn
First, once the runner touches home, are they allowed to head back to a previous base?

Yes, so long as they have not entered the dugout or other DBT. They also may not return if a following runner has scored.

Originally posted by BigUmpJohn
Second, does the runner actually have to retouch home? They touched it once and there are no bases after that, so why is there a need to retouch?

Because the runner is required to touch all bases whether advancing or retreating. In fact, if the runner did not retouch home, and beat the appeal back to 3rd, the runner could still be called out on appeal for missing home.

[SC Ump]

Originally posted by Dakota
Speaking ASA.

Speaking NFHS, NCAA, NSA and ISA, too.

[BigUmpJohn]

Ok then. Guess it looked more complicated than it was.