quote:Originally posted by supernole1:
Jimmy,
say now that the pitcher did begin his delivery and the runner is one step from the next base but doesn't acquire it until the pitch is mid-air. is the base still his? at what point does he have to forfeit the base he legally obtained under rule 7.01?
Supernole:
You have to quit hanging your hat on one rule. The book is more complex than that with rules referring to, explaining and modifying other rules.
If 7.01 (a) was the end all, mutiple runnners could legally retain a base (dealt with in 7.03), bases could be acquired when the ball was dead and foul balls would advance runners.
To answer your question, if a runner "steals" a base prior to TOP, it is his and he does not retreat if the next pitch is fouled off.