Baseline

Question
Hi Mark,

Quick question for you.  This would be for Fastpitch, under ASA rules.  On a drop 3rd strike, the batter starts walking to the dugout (luckily for her it was a bit of a walk) when she realizes the situation and heads for 1st with the catcher floundering for the ball.  On her way to first she cuts across the field about 7-8' in front of home plate to get to the first baseline.  She ends up safe, leaving me to wonder about the rule on this cutting across the field vs running by home) and what would keep a batter runner from cutting off even more of the baseline.

Hope it makes sense.

Allen

Answer
Hi Allen,

A "baseline" is an imaginary line directly between the bases

A "basepath" is a line directly between a base and the runner's position at the time a defensive player is attempting a tag.

We have no rules for being out of the "baseline" and only can you be out  if you run out of the "basepath" trying to avoid a tag.

As long as she didn't enter the dugout she can attempt to advance to 1st from her position at the time.

Mark