Runners passing on bases

boldfacesun · #1 (**permalink**) Thu Aug 08, 2002, 07:28am

If the lead runner on 3rd gets past up by the runner on 2nd, is one of the 2 out or does physical contact between the 2 runners have to occur?

greymule · #2 (**permalink**) Thu Aug 08, 2002, 07:40am

A runner who passes a preceding runner is out. Physical contact is irrelevant.

IRISHMAFIA · #3 (**permalink**) Thu Aug 08, 2002, 11:47am

Quote:

Originally posted by greymule
A runner who passes a preceding runner is out. Physical contact is irrelevant.

Unless the contact occurs AFTER the following runner passed. Then you may have an out for physically assisting a runner depending on the type of contact

bluezebra · #4 (**permalink**) Thu Aug 08, 2002, 01:35pm

A runner may assist another runner. A coach may not.

Bob

Martin T. · #5 (**permalink**) Thu Aug 08, 2002, 08:25pm

When anyone, other than another runner, physically assists the runner, the runner assisted is out.

A runner declared out is no longer a runner & therefore cannot assist.

greymule · #6 (**permalink**) Thu Aug 08, 2002, 09:51pm

That's true, Martin T.

"A runner is an offensive player who has reached first base and has not yet been put out."

However, the book (8-8-P) does use the term "runner" to refer to someone who has been put out: "When, after being declared out or after scoring, a runner intentionally interferes . . ."

Also, "a runner continuing to run and drawing a throw may be considered a form of interference."

It doesn't say "a former runner" or "an ex-runner."

Don't think it's in the case book. Wonder what the official ruling would be on the physical assist.

A fielder is someone other than another runner, too. If F6 helps a fallen runner to get up, or if F5 slaps him on the rear as F7 catches a fly, is the runner out?

bluezebra · #7 (**permalink**) Thu Aug 08, 2002, 10:03pm

If a runner falls, the trailing runner may assist him/her, as long as he/she doesn't pass the preceeding runner. This has nothing to do with interfering with a fielder.

". If F6 helps a fallen runner to get up, or if F5 slaps him on the rear as F7 catches a fly, is the runner out?"

Are you serious? Think about it.

Bob

greymule · #8 (**permalink**) Fri Aug 09, 2002, 09:28am

Those were rhetorical questions, bluezebra. Of course those are not outs. They are examples of how the rule book cannot be taken literally.

The question is, Can a runner who has been put out (and is by rule book definition no longer a runner) still assist another runner?

By the way, not only can a trailing runner assist. It could also be a preceding runner, as long as nobody passes anyone.

[Edited by greymule on Aug 9th, 2002 at 09:40 AM]