double base discussion

[Tru_in_Blu]

I had a play in slow pitch tonight that I thought was pretty cut and dry.

Runner on 1B, 1 out. Batter lines out to F6. Runner was about 4 steps off the base and starts heading back. He sees the ball fired over from F6 and ducks to avoid getting hit in the head. In doing so, he never made it back to the base. F3 catches the throw and I ring up the runner on the double play.

Offense coach comes out to appeal, stating that F3 only touched the colored portion of the base. Knowing that the base in this case is one big base I didn't even pay attention to if he was on white, orange, or in between.

After the game coach and I discuss and he shows me rule 8.2.N. His contention is that since "N" appears only under 8.2 The batter-runner is out, all of the sub-headings apply only to BR.

I tried to convince him that the relevant portions of "N" on this play were:
7. On balls hit to the outfield with no play on the BR advancing to first base, the BR may touch the white or contrasting color portion. Should the BR return, the runner and defense can use the white or contrasting color portion.

and,

8. When tagging up on a fly ball, the white or contrasting color portion of the base may be used. On an appeal for the runner leaving the base too soon, the defense may use the white or contrasting color of the base.

When I searched this matter, I came across a phrase that IrishMafia had included in a post:

"I assume you are referring to a batter-runner since there is no double-base for a runner."

I'm totally on board with that, but is it noted in the rule book?

It would seem that the section on the double base might be better suited in a different section.