ASK THE UMP!

BASERUNNING

QUESTION: In high school, baseball and softball, runner from second touches third base and in advancing toward home contacts base coach who is in coaching box. Umpire declares runner out and restricts coach to bench. Correct call?
ANSWER: There is no rule violation if contact is incidental. If coach physically assisted runner with a push, pull or pick up action, runner would be called out; ball remains in play. Coach does not receive warning nor restriction. (BB- Rule 3, Sec. 2, Art. 2- ball is dead at end of action. Runner is out, any outs on play stand and runners not put out must return to bases occupied at time of violation). (SB- Rule 3, Sec. 5, Art. 4 and 8-6-5; runner is out and ball is in play).
QUESTION: Shortstop is attempting to field a ground ball; in advancing to third, runner from second runs about five feet around the fielder. Is runner automatically called out for being out of baseline?
ANSWER: Runner would be called out if he/ she avoided a tag by fielder with ball. If runner adjusted baseline to avoid contact with shortstop making a play on the ball, runner is not out. (BB- Rule 8, Sec. 4, Art. 2 a (1, 2)) (SB- Rule 8, Sec. 6, Art. 1 and 8-8-1).

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