Timeline for Can a baseball runner lead off of first in a direct line to the pitcher?
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
6 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 2018 at 1:54 | comment | added | Corey Burnett | I see what you're saying. But in some sense you could argue that the runner is simply returning to the base in a straight line. On his return path to the base he isn't doing anything out of the ordinary to try and get hit by the throw. It's not any different than a base runner getting hit by a throw in a run down. But I guess you are saying that the act of taking a lead in a straight line to the pitcher is a deliberate act to interfere. | |
| Apr 28, 2018 at 0:51 | comment | added | Nij♦ | Seriously? Your hypothetical runner is moving in that place to block the thrown ball. It doesn't matter which way they're facing - they have intended to block the ball and that's 6.01 bang to rights. Yes, the umpire does make a decision, but passive contact doesn't contradict active placement as evidence of intent. Compare kicking the ball to placing a foot in its path to not moving a foot already in its path to moving the foot out of its path. Two of those are interference, one is a judgement call for consequence, one is not interference (in that order). | |
| Apr 27, 2018 at 23:37 | comment | added | Corey Burnett | Here is a rules interpretation that I saw that I thought was interesting that got me thinking about this - austinumpires.org/skunkplay.html | |
| Apr 27, 2018 at 23:36 | comment | added | Corey Burnett | Also as for being called out for interfering with the throw from the pitcher wouldn't the umpire have to determine that it was an intentional effort to interfere. If the runner simply turns his back to the pitcher and goes back in to first standing up it's not his fault that the throw hits him. Right? Or are baserunners required to duck or slide to allow a throw to come in? | |
| Apr 27, 2018 at 23:34 | comment | added | Corey Burnett | But I believe that a runner is entitled to make any path they want when running the bases. Essentially a runner defines his "base path" by the path that he takes to the base. Think of a runner that is speeding around the bases trying to get a triple. There are no requirements for him to be in any particular path. He can circle the bases any way that he wants. It's only when a fielder is attempting to tag him that he is now required to stay with the baseline that he established. | |
| Apr 27, 2018 at 23:23 | history | answered | Nij♦ | CC BY-SA 3.0 |