Double Base @ First

Question
QUESTION: A ball is fielded by the first baseman in the playing field. She fumbles the ball and knocks the ball into foul territory. She picks up the ball and touches the orange bag in foul territory before the runner gets there. Is the runner out or safe? My point is that if she fumbled the ball in fair territory and knocked the ball foul then the play should to to the white bag in fair territory.

ANSWER: The runner is out.  It doesn't matter how ball made it to foul territory.  Once the force at first is being made from foul territory, both the offense and defense can use any part of the base.

The rules are set up to avoid collisions.  That is why the runner and fielder are not forced to cross for any reason on the force play from foul territory.

Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I guess I'm confused. I was always told that when there were double bases at first, the runner was required to always run to the orange bag and the white bag, which is in the playing field, was for defense only. We have had runners called out for standing on the orange bag at first instead of the white bag. The rational was that the runner is off the bag before the pitch. Anyway, thanks for your help.

Answer
Only on the initial play at first is there a requirement for which part of base must be used and that changes if the play is being made from foul territory.  After this it is just one big 15x30 base and any part of it can be used by anybody.

I know your follow up didn't require a response.  But, if I don't respond, allexperts.com will start emailing me about unanswered questions.