Out for Turning the Wrong Way? Busting the Myth After Batter-Runner Scott Loses Overrun Protection
· 22.04.2024 · 01:05:00 ··· ··· Monday ·· 1 (1)
CloseCallSports After Philadelphia tagged out Cardinals batter-runner Victor Scott in St Louis, TV speculated he "turn[ed] the wrong way" after hitting an infield single and sprinting past first base. Looks like we have a rules myth to clear up. Article:
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Official Baseball Rule 5.09(b)(11) makes no mention of which way to turn, but instead states, "Any runner is out when they fail to return at once to first base after overrunning or oversliding that base. If they attempt to run to second they are out when tagged..."
The phrase "if they attempt to run to second" is interpreted as a physical indication from the batter-runner that they are attempting to advance beyond first base. For most plays of this nature—and true for the Scott play here as well—this manifests by a sudden shuffle of the feet as the player turns his body and moves toward the next base.
Simply turning into fair territory or to the left as opposed to turning rightward toward foul territory is not on its own ample evidence with which to call a runner out (when tagged) after losing overrun protection at first base.
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