Keystone Kops ending. Probable blown call.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

The point is the BU has his back to 1st when the ball is coming from LF to 2nd and covering the play there. That is when the BR apparently wandered off, just after the catch, amd might have "abandoned". Is isn't the time of the play at 1st that is the problem, it is the BR during the play at 2nd.

I am not getting that from the OP. Defense is claiming an out because BR "never went to first". So, Mr BU - where is the batter when the ball gets thrown there? Surely BU can make at least the judgement of A) past first, B) on first, or C) nowhere near first or not yet to first. A and B is safe. C is an out. I'm having trouble understanding why this is difficult. I understand that BU did not see BR before the ball started heading toward first - but surely there is enough information to determine if there's an out.