@ABSORBER posted:This call may have been questioned but it was correct. It is not new or obscure and it gets called fairly frequently. There is a reason those chalk lines are on the field.
Nobody knows whether the batter/runner's path to 1st (100% in fair territory) somehow affected the defense (slowing or altering the pitchers play on the ball, etc.) but the bottom line is this:
1. Batter/runner was 100% out of the running lane (and yes, it is the plate umpire's job to observe and make the call)
2. A play was being made on that batter/runner and his running lane violation COULD have altered the play.
Announcers really have no clue regarding rules most of the time (the same can be said for many coaches). These particular announcers were focused (as were the fans) on the collision on first which HAD NO BEARING on the running lane violation call.
And for those that think it's a terrible rule (many comments I've seen on social media) then I ask: why do we have rules in the first place if we are not going to enforce them?
And for those who may have never coached or umpired but may have played the game I ask this: when you were a player did you ever run to first in fair territory after bunting hoping you'd get plunked by the ball being thrown by either the pitcher, 3rd baseman, or catcher? I know I did!
And can you recall any coach ever explaining to you what the running lane was? I can't!
But ignorance of the rules is not excusable, especially for a coach. Thankfully we do have umpires and officials in our sports.
I was an impartial observer. I knew why the play was called the way it was as soon as I saw the replay. From a technical standpoint it’s the right call. But, UConn had zero chance of getting the hitter at first or preventing the run. It’s when the common sense of “let them play” and don’t inject officiating into altering the outcome game comes into play.