B/R Retreats Towards Home Playe

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by UmpireErnie

Between home and 1B there is no safe place for BR to retreat to. She can't go back and stand on home plate to avoid being put out.

Originally Posted by jmkupka

Nor can she retreat to safe haven at 1B (if forced), but there's no rule preventing her from stepping back from a tag between 1st & 2nd, even if forced.

While I generally agree this isn't a good rule, and it sure as hell isn't interference (in my opinion) to simply delay an apparent out for a strategic advantage, there is a key difference between these cases. It isn't EVER possible for a BR to be safe back at home; but it IS possible a foolish defense can misplay a retreat to 1st by removing the force.