Double base / errant throw redux

[Dakota]

Mike has provided us with the ASA teaching on "errant throw" as used in the rule on the double base at first. After several discussions here and on other boards (most recently on McGriffs), I think I may finally understand what ASA is trying to say...

The rule is not supposed to give the defense an extra long base to avoid what would have been a pulled foot to the foul side. Instead, it is intended to prevent collisions caused by a fielder (probably the fielder backing up the play - F9 or F2) grabbing an errant throw that F3 has missed and trying to scramble back to the white base across the path of the BR.

Therefore, if F3 pulls her foot & catches the ball, she must retouch on the white base.

However, if F3 misses the ball, and either she or another fielder snag it from foul territory, they are allowed to touch the orange base for the out.

Is that right?

[greymule]

8-2-M-c:

On any force out attempt from the foul side of first base, or an errant throw pulling the defense into foul ground, the defense and the batter-runner can use either the white or [the] colored portion.

I don't like it, but it sounds to me that F3 does have an extra-long base on errant throws (and so does the BR, but to little advantage).

Otherwise, it would have to say, "or after an errant throw has pulled the defense into foul ground." Of course, maybe that's what they meant to say.

When I get time, I'll check the case book.

[ntxblue]

At advanced school this past June, Merle Butler & Henry Pollard emphasized that the defense does NOT have an extra long base to make the play at first. A throw that was off-line from F6 that pulls F3 into foul ground - while trying to keep a foot on the base - did not meet the intent of the "errant throw" portion of the rule. The ball must come from foul ground.

There was discussion and a "commitment" to insert a definition of an errant throw as it pertains to this rule. The intent was not to give the defense an advantage, but the way it is worded . . .

We'll have to wait to see what appears in the 2003 rule book.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by Dakota
Mike has provided us with the ASA teaching on "errant throw" as used in the rule on the double base at first. After several discussions here and on other boards (most recently on McGriffs), I think I may finally understand what ASA is trying to say...

The rule is not supposed to give the defense an extra long base to avoid what would have been a pulled foot to the foul side. Instead, it is intended to prevent collisions caused by a fielder (probably the fielder backing up the play - F9 or F2) grabbing an errant throw that F3 has missed and trying to scramble back to the white base across the path of the BR.

Therefore, if F3 pulls her foot & catches the ball, she must retouch on the white base.

However, if F3 misses the ball, and either she or another fielder snag it from foul territory, they are allowed to touch the orange base for the out.

Is that right?

Tom,

That is correct.