Interesting Bizarre decisions by Blue

[UmpireErnie]

Mike, while I agree with your interpretation, I can’t find it in the book. I mean, obviously when the umpire calls “TIME” runners have to return to the base last legally touched. But I think it is simply an implied rule. Perhaps it should be added to ASA 8-6/NFHS 8-5 “A Runner Must Return To Their Base”.

ASA 8-3-E/NFHS 8-3-7 deals with which runner has a right to the base when two runners occupy the same base. R2 was not forced to 3B. However, if R2 touched 3B before R1 got back to 3B then R2 owns the bag and R1 would be out if tagged. If the play is killed at this point (oops!) then the last base legally touched by both runners is 3B, and since by rule they can’t both be there R2 goes back rather than R1 moving forward. The premature dead ball call has saved the offense an almost certain out, they don’t get a bonus base on top of it!

I think the rule writers simply assume we will be smart enough not to call “TIME” for no reason when two runners are on the same base!

Ernie

[Smiley]

A runner cannot legally occupy a base legally occupied by another runner. R1 occupies 3rd until she attains the next base (scores).

[Andy]

This kind of reminds me of the old Harlem Globetrotter's trick:

A Globtrotter is about to make a wide open layup, but just before he shoots, calls for time out. Whistle blows, time out is granted, players start leaving the floor. The Globetrotter yells "time back in" and makes the layup.

It's like a "pause" button on the game! Stop play until you figure out what's happenning, then just instruct the players to resume from where they stopped.

[UmpireErnie]

Originally Posted by Smiley

A runner cannot legally occupy a base legally occupied by another runner. R1 occupies 3rd until she attains the next base (scores).

Thanks, Smiey! The light bulb came on.

For other readers, see ASA 8-3-B/NFHS 8-3-3. As Smiley says, R1 owns the base until she touches home or is forced off 3B, no matter who touches the base first.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by UmpireErnie

Mike, while I agree with your interpretation, I can’t find it in the book. I mean, obviously when the umpire calls “TIME” runners have to return to the base last legally touched. But I think it is simply an implied rule. Perhaps it should be added to ASA 8-6/NFHS 8-5 “A Runner Must Return To Their Base”.

Speaking ASA

You cannot find the order in which runners are to touch the bases, either, but we all know it is 1st, 2nd, 3rd, then home.

The book specifically notes which runner has the right to occupy the base. The defense is responsible to know how to retire a runner not in contact with the proper base.

I believe there may be a play in the case book (though on the LBR, it still prescribed the appropriate umpire action) and numerous posts on this board supporting my interpretation.

[Dakota]

There is an ASA case play (too lazy to look it up right now...) that if the defense is indifferent to the 2 runners on the base, the umpire is to call TIME and place the runners on their legal bases. So, the umpires placing the runners is not the issue here; it is the premature calling of TIME.

However, like an inadvertant whistle in football, the ball is still dead.

My guess on what the umpires told the coaches: "This was our error. We are going to resume play. Do not instruct your players. Let the players work it out."