Commitment line

Question
2 questions for you.

#1.  Runner on 3rd base, less than 2 outs.  Batter hits a fly ball to outfield.  Runner on third heads to home immediately, thinking the ball will not be caught.  But, the outfielder does get to it, and does catch the ball.  Runner has passed the committment line, and now goes back across the line back to 3rd base to tag up.  2 different umpires gave two different interpretations.  The question is this...When the runner passes that committment line, are they allowed to return to 3rd base to tage up ??  Are they then required to also proceed home, or can they remain at 3rd base ??

The 2nd question is regarding gloves.  Play at first base.  Fielder dives to get ball.  Has ball in non glove hand.  Then reaches out with glove to tag first base.  Is the runner out ?  Does the glove count as an extension of the body.  I believe the runner is out, but I am being questioned and cannot find the explanation.

Thank you,

Doug Dabney

Answer
Hi Doug,

In ASA play the only div that uses a committment line is senior sp play and uses 2 home plates.

To be honest I've never umpired that division of play.

8-9-d-6 says once a runner passes the committment line from a 2nd home plate, the runner cannot return to 3rd.
Effect the runner will be called out if the runner returns and the ball remains alive.

The rule seems to be pretty simple and gives no exceptions I can find.

2)The runner is out, the rule only requires contact with the base by the defensive player while holding of the ball- 8-7-c.
I've mentioned this before but it's a good example.  In a tournie a few years ago we had a hard ground ball hit to f6.  He was going take the force at 2nd himself and then turn the dp.  He tripped and fell on the way to 2nd (had the ball in his glove) and literally rolled on purpose 3-4 times and rolled over 2nd base.  His butt pretty much rolled over the base. He held up his glove to show control of the ball, we had an out....no dp though.

Mark