05-03-2007, 07:40 PM
Source: National Federation of State High School Associations 2007
Rule 8-4-2,
Art. 2... Any runner is out when he:
a. runs more than three feet away from a direct line between bases to avoid being tagged or to hinder a fielder while the runner is advancing or returning to a base;
1. This is not an infraction if a fielder attempting to field a batted ball is in the runner's proper path and the runner runs behind the fielder to avoid interfering with him.
2. When a play is being made on a runner or batter-runner, HE ESTABLISHES HIS BASELINE AS DIRECTLY BETWEEN HIS POSTION AND THE BASE TOWARD WHICH HE IS MOVING.
What this means in simple terms is, there is no such thing as a baseline until THERE IS A PLAY BEING MADE ON THE RUNNER. The runner ESTABLISHES his basepath from where he is directly to the next base or back to the one he is retreating to. It also means that a runner could take a lead from a base and go into the outfield as long as a play in not being made on him. If a play is made on the runner, his basepath is a direct line toward the base he is attempting to run to. He has a three foot path on either side of the direct line to the base.
This is probably one of the most mis-understood rules of baseball. I hope this post sheds some light on how this rule is interpeted. The following casebook play should help clear it up a little better than an old baseball fan like me could ever do.
Caseplay 8.4.1 Situation J: B1 swings and misses a pitch that gets away from F2 and rolls to the backstop. B1 is near the third base dugout before he is told to run to first. B1 runs across the infield in a DIRECT LINE toward first base. Upon nearing the base, he is hit by F2's throw. Is B1 out for being out of the three-foot running lane? RULING: The three foot running lane does not apply to a batter who establishes his basepath away from home plate. However, if B1 runs more that three feet outside his established basepath, he could be called out for interference. SOURCE: 2007 High School Rules By Topic
Rule 8-4-2,
Art. 2... Any runner is out when he:
a. runs more than three feet away from a direct line between bases to avoid being tagged or to hinder a fielder while the runner is advancing or returning to a base;
1. This is not an infraction if a fielder attempting to field a batted ball is in the runner's proper path and the runner runs behind the fielder to avoid interfering with him.
2. When a play is being made on a runner or batter-runner, HE ESTABLISHES HIS BASELINE AS DIRECTLY BETWEEN HIS POSTION AND THE BASE TOWARD WHICH HE IS MOVING.
What this means in simple terms is, there is no such thing as a baseline until THERE IS A PLAY BEING MADE ON THE RUNNER. The runner ESTABLISHES his basepath from where he is directly to the next base or back to the one he is retreating to. It also means that a runner could take a lead from a base and go into the outfield as long as a play in not being made on him. If a play is made on the runner, his basepath is a direct line toward the base he is attempting to run to. He has a three foot path on either side of the direct line to the base.
This is probably one of the most mis-understood rules of baseball. I hope this post sheds some light on how this rule is interpeted. The following casebook play should help clear it up a little better than an old baseball fan like me could ever do.
Caseplay 8.4.1 Situation J: B1 swings and misses a pitch that gets away from F2 and rolls to the backstop. B1 is near the third base dugout before he is told to run to first. B1 runs across the infield in a DIRECT LINE toward first base. Upon nearing the base, he is hit by F2's throw. Is B1 out for being out of the three-foot running lane? RULING: The three foot running lane does not apply to a batter who establishes his basepath away from home plate. However, if B1 runs more that three feet outside his established basepath, he could be called out for interference. SOURCE: 2007 High School Rules By Topic