Trivia
 

Bottom of the 7th, Visitors up by 1. Bases loaded, 2 outs, full count. R2 and R3 are off on the pitch, R1 from third taking a regular lead. The ball is hit to shallow left who has a cannon arm. F7 fires home.

R2 and R1 arrive near the plate almost simultaneously, R2 sprinting, R1 jogging, unaware the ball is coming. R2 slides and touches plate just before F2 catches the ball and steps on the plate, which happens just before R1 touches the plate. As R2 is sliding, her head is behind R1's feet.

Ruling? Who wins, if anyone?

I have R2 out for passing R1. Third out, end of inning/game, visitors win by one.

isn't that considered passing a preceding runner before the preceding runner is put out? R2 is out. ball game.

What is the definition of passing?

Rules supplement 39, runner must pass the entire body of the preceding runner to be called out.

I realize the emphasis of supplement 39, but the trailing runner touched the plate before the lead runner. If the defense appeals that this is the case, what is going to be your call as to whether R2 passed R1 or not? if you say that R2 did not pass R1 because she did not pass R1 with her entire body, how do you explain that she touched the plate first with passing.

And if you call her out for passing, how do you explain to the offensive coach when he argues the rules state the lead runner must be physically passed and the rules supplement is clear in its statement the runner must completely pass the body of the lead runner?

I have no idea what the rules clarification may be on this from the rules committe, but based on the wording of the rule and rules supplement I do not believe you have rules basis for calling the trailing runner out for passing.

So if you don't have an out for passing ... what's your call?

Isn't R1 forced, out if not passed?

Cant find anything in the book, but unless you consider the trailing runners touch of home to have removed the force play, I would tend to believe you still have a force situation on the lead runner. 3rd out, game over.

So the question is ... once R2 has scored, why would R1 still be forced? The base behind her is currently unoccupied - if she (for some odd reason) returned, there's no one there forcing her off the base.

Dead ball. R2 is out for leaving early on the pitch. Game is over

if she did that, NOW we have physically passing

R2 didn't leave early, even if you, in retrospect, wished that she did. :)

Not if R2 has already scored.

keep going