Help!!
 

ASA.... batted groundball to 1b...ball booted....behind first base....1b runs to recover ball and when ball is secured...1b steps back, cant reach white base, but touches orange part of firstbase before BR arrives.

????? BR out or safe?

Thanks

It sounds like F3 is still fielding the ball in fair territory. If that's the case, safe. ASA 8-2-M-3

If the ball went into foul territory, then the defensive player and the BR can use either base. If that's the case, then out. ASA 8-2-M-4

Thanks Dave.

To be clear....the ball was secured in foul territoty behind 1b.

I ruled br safe as it didn't seam logical that 1b could boot a play and then , even though she would not have had a chance to make an out normally after the boot, would be allowed to take advantage of the double base and retire the br.

Not logical to me...but live and learn.

The idea behind the double base is safety. How safe is it for a defensive player to have to cross the path of a BR coming down the line at full speed. Seems pretty logical to me.

I kinda understand your point.

But logical? The intent of the rule? 1b was stretching away from br.

I incorrectly applied the written rule. And I will never drive over 55 again...unless the wildfire is coming up behind me at 56.

To fundamentally change the game...boot a play, but use the double base rule to get the br out...when there should have been no possible way of doing so??

I guess we could play cross-out or play with a nerf ball. Actually...those little play areas at McDonalds...with the inflatable walls and hundreds of inflatable balls...that would be a logical place to safely play a fastpitch game??

I hope someday...common sense can be invented!!

Rant not intended towards Ed.:)

Ed's correct. The purpose of the double-base (and trust me, I hate the damn thing), is safety and it makes no sense to require a defender to step in front of a runner to execute the play. Next thing you know, the BR slows down and someone wants an OBS even though it does not apply.

And speaking of a fundament change to the game, you don't consider introducing a double base to the game as a fundamental change? Are you aware that there are some who would like to see it at 3rd, also? This way, the runner on 3rd can stand an extra 15" off the line to avoid being hit by that BB coming off these bats.

Hell, let's put them at every corner of the diamond and eliminate tag plays! :rolleyes:

Wow. In Canada, the rule states "R3 must use only the white portion of the safety bag". So I do not have an out on the play.

Yeah, but in Canada they play football on a 110 yard field and with 15 or 16 players to a side.

but...
 

One less down to get the first down.

Yeah, but we didn't screw up softball as badly.