Passing a preceding runner

quote:

Bases loaded, no outs. F2 fails to catch a pitch, and it goes to the backstop. R3 and R2 don't try to advance, but R1 takes off for second. As F2 retrieves the ball, R2 goes all the way back to the bag. R1 also goes all the way to second, and doesn't slide; rather, he tries to go in standing up, but his momentum carries his past the bag a couple of steps. He finally stops, and starts running back to first. He doesn't get very far as my BU partner rings him up for passing another runner.

So, did R1 really pass R2? R1 never made a move towards third base; he simply overran second, then turned back around and headed back. R2, meanwhile, stayed in contact with the third-base side of the second base bag.

Whatcha got?

quote:

We see that this is getting deep into discussion, so please let us explain from our perspective. It is only passing when the runners physically pass one another while running around the bases. It seems that in your situation, R1 went to the centerfield side of second base, and though he passed R2, it was not on the third base side. Therefore, the runner would not be called out for passing. Let me give you an example of a play that took place with one of our instructors (and now MLB umpire supervisor) Charlie Reliford.

R2, R3. The ball gets by the catcher and R3 initially thinks he can score, however, get caught up in a rundown. He makes it safely back to third base only to find R2 had advanced there as well, and R3 is tagged while in contact with the base. The third base umpire calls him safe (and rightfully so). Immediately after the tag, R3 continues a few feet down the left field line. At this point R3 has not passed R2 going towards second, and R2 has not passed R3 towards home, so no one is out.
The defense, believing he was out, starts to move back to their positions, with the catcher still holding the ball and walking towards home plate. Charlie recognized a few things here: 1) The defense believed R3 was out, 2) No runners were out for passing, and 3) R3 knew he was not out.
This illiminates the possiblilty of calling him out for abandoning his effort. R3 then touched 3rd base while R2 stood on it, and began non-shalantly walking towards the plate. Charlie could see that he was about to score a run without anyone knowing what was going on except the umpires and R3. A few feet from home plate, and not with any real urgency, the catcher tagged R3 with the ball. Charlie properly called him out.

I know that this brings in a few other things, however, it is an example where runners can pass each other, but not be called out for passing.

Same thing happens all the time at first base. R1 goes back to tag up on a fly ball, and the BR runs through the base. Even though they've passed one another, they have not done so while running around the bases.