Did anyone here see the play from the ESPN game in SF? Runner caught in a run down between 1st & 2nd reversed direction and broke towards the infield grass, initiating contact with the SS who was trailing towards the outside of the previous baseline. Runner was awarded the base. I think the rule is 7.08
Any runner is out when --
(a) (1) He runs more than three feet away from his baseline to avoid being tagged unless his action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball. A runner’s baseline is established when the tag attempt occurs and is a straight line from the runner to the base he is attempting to reach safely; or (2) after touching first base, he leaves the baseline, obviously abandoning his effort to touch the next base;
I cannot understand how the runner is allowed to establish a baseline away from the direct path to the next base, and in this case to create contact with the fielder.

Having not seen it makes it difficult but it sounds as though obstruction was called. 7.06a The rule you quoted would have made him out.
In a rundown the runner moves back and forth and in the process may move one way or the other in the baseline. The only restriction he has is he can't go more than 3ft from his line to avoid a tag. Until then he is free to work wherever he needs to get to the base. Each time he changes direction it establishes a new line betwen his position and the base.
It sounds like he ran into the SS either by intentionly or accidently moving toward the fielder. If he accidently collides then it's obstruction and he gets the next base. If intentional then it's interference and he's out.

Thanks Michael.
Hard play to describe, so here it is.


http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/media/player/mp_tp...l=&type=v_free&_mp=1

The last angle was from the BU's veiw and I can see how he called obstruction. From the first base side it looked more like he went after the fielder. But the result was type A obstruction, deadball, second base. Interesting play though.

That play could potentially spawn a shift in strategy for baserunners. It's not hard to imagine coaches instructing players to seek contact and hope to draw the obstruction call.

I cant believe that this scenario fits the intent of the rule. If its me, I got an out!

quote:

Originally posted by spizzlepop:
That play could potentially spawn a shift in strategy for baserunners. It's not hard to imagine coaches instructing players to seek contact and hope to draw the obstruction call.

Not hard to imagine? I know lots of coaches that teach this very thing. Maybe not going out of the baseline, but definitely looking for a fielder to bump into.

Teaching runners to try to contact a fielder or at least get close enough for an obstruction call is the clasic way to ghet out of a pickle. There really isn't anything wrong with that, but going that far might be stretching it.