B/R baseline question

Just so we're clear, the situation being discussed here is a tag attempt, so the "running lane" is not relevant at all. (The running lane is 3 feet wide, and to the outside of the foul line, and extends over the last half of the distance from home to first. It is only important when considering interference with the receiving of a throw coming from behind the batter-runner.)

Instead we have a tag attempt, and the rule is the same for all runners, no matter what base they are going to. The runner may choose his own path to his advance base, until a tag is attempted. Then he must not deviate more than 3 feet from a direct line between his position and the base he is trying to go to. He may choose to go back in the direction of a previous base (even if he hasn't reached first yet, as long as he doesn't actually reach home plate).

Note that a "tag attempt" means the defensive player is close to and actively trying to contact the base runner. As an unlikely example, a fielder who has the ball and is standing passively in the runner's line to the next base is not making a tag attempt, and the runner is entitled to deviate to get around the fielder. At some point the fielder needs to try to tag the runner. He can't just wait for the runner to run into him.

What 3FG said!

YHF - In your sitch, I would have banged him out for being out of the baseline. If the fielder is attempting to tag the runner, the extended reach of the fielder is pretty close to the 3 ft. max. At least that's what I use as a guide.

agreed....I'd get an out here....

agreed with dash.....I use a step and a reach as a guide of 3 feet..

Thanks guys, gotta post an IFF question now in a new thread.