base running/obstruction
Question
Yesterday at my daughters's high school(JV) game one of our players bunted. The ball landed just to the right in front of home plate, before the batter could get into the baseline, the catcher, pitcher, first and third basemen converged on the ball, trapping her at home plate. None of the defensive players had possession of the ball at the time, they were bobbling it between them, In order to avoid a collision, the batter ran to the inside of the foul line, towards the pitchers mound in the first half of the baseline. She then re entered the baseline after clearing the players and reached first well before the throw. She was called out for leaving the baseline. Is this correct? Can you tell me where to find this rule in the book so I can inform her coach. Thanks,
Diane
Answer
No this is not the correct call, the only way this would be correct would be if she deviated more that 3ft. from a straight line to the next base from her current position to avoid a tag. Otherwise she could pretty much run anywhere on the field that she wanted to.
Tom
softball tagging up rule
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