Baserunning Rules // Baseball Rules Explained for Beginners

[@buildingbetterbaseball]

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[@taowaycamino4891]

I have a technical question. When a runner hits the ball and runs to first base, usually the momentum when the runner reaches first base takes them past the base and then they have to walk back to the base and step on it. So my question is: What if when the runner is walking back to first base to get into position, he then walks back doing the walking inside the foul line? Can the first baseman touch base with the ball on hand and the umpire call him out since he was walking back inside the foul line instead of walking back outside the foul line? Does the first baseman has to have the ball in the glove or hand for that out to happen? Or can the umpire just call the runner out for just walking back to first base inside the foul line as opposed to walking back outside the foul line(regardless if the first baseman is holding on to the ball or not)? Thanks

[@dogpatch75]

Excellent video for beginners! Don't forget... the one situation where fielders do NOT have rights over runners is when they are not in the act of fielding a BATTED ball and have placed themselves in a position to impede a runner while not in possession of the ball. This is called obstruction.

[@thatguy3493]

We just dealt with this on my son’s 6U team the other night. The opposing team 1st baseman kept running halfway towards home and doing everything to block the runner and the umps did nothing about it. It was extremely frustrating because this is the age they’re supposed to be learning the rules. And the first baseman didn’t have the ball just straight up blocking and the umps called our runner out which made it worse.

[@deadend5385]

Awesome video, I have been a soccer fan since I started walking and recently just started watching baseball this year and this is really helpful. I watch every baseball game and really enjoy myself.

[@buildingbetterbaseball]

So glad you found it helpful!

[@Dgenz24]

Watching these with my kids. Thanks for the easy breakdown! Got my Sub

[@mikeybpotts3915]

Just an extra note about safety bases at 1st: the purpose of having two bags down is so that the fielder and the batter-runner each separately have a bag to touch during the play. The batter-runner may not be able to use the orange bag on the foul side of the foul line if this would interfere with the fielder’s ability to make the play. A situation where this might occur: batter hits a loopy blooper which lands JUST inside fair territory and rolls to the fence. The RF runs to the ball and is throwing it to first. The 1B fielder may choose to stand on the orange bag in foul territory instead of the white bag in fair territory - it might be a shorter throw, the angle might be better, the fielder might be worried about a collision with the batter-runner. Regardless, it is the responsibility of the batter-runner to play the unoccupied bag.

[@buildingbetterbaseball]

You’re right Mikey, thanks for the help!

[@thierry27]

Thanks man for this video. Really well explained.

[@buildingbetterbaseball]

Sure thing 👍 I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@user-kw4rn1ov9x]

❤thank you for the video! Very help Helpful.

[@rodrigosilvaaparicio8047]

I thank You For all the information Coach Hart well explained l love (baseball) and all this that You Say helps me o lot. Thank You "Coach" God bless You. ⚾👍✌️😀🕵️

[@taowaycamino4891]

I have a technical question. When a runner hits the ball and runs to first base, usually the momentum when the runner reaches first base takes them past the base and then they have to walk back to the base and step on it. So my question is: What if when the runner is walking back to first base to get into position, he then walks back doing the walking inside the foul line? Can the first baseman touch base with the ball on hand and the umpire call him out since he was walking back inside the foul line instead of walking back outside the foul line? Does the first baseman has to have the ball in the glove or hand for that out to happen? Or can the umpire just call the runner out for just walking back to first base inside the foul line as opposed to walking back outside the foul line(regardless if the first baseman is holding on to the ball or not)? Thanks

[@buildingbetterbaseball]

Hey Felix, great question! As soon as the runner touches first base, they're safe regardless of where they walk. They can walk back to the bag inside, outside, on the foul line.. wherever, they will still be safe. The only situation where they can be *tagged* out (not touch base for force out, but must be tagged) is if they make an attempt to second base like they were going to run to 2nd base. If they make an attempt to 2nd, they are a "live" runner and can be tagged out. All other situations they are safe as soon as they touch first base, no matter how they walk back 👍. Hope this helps!

[@taowaycamino4891]

@@buildingbetterbaseball That was helpful, thank you!

[@dogpatch75]

BBB's answer is spot on. Youth coaches should be teaching players correct mechanics regarding running through 1B. Show them what an "attempt" looks like and teach them to stay on the line while running through the bag, turning their head to the right to spot a possible overthrown ball. They should not develop the bad habit of peeling away into foul territory since this puts them further from 2B. A casual minor movement toward 2B while turning back toward 1B is not considered an "attempt".

[@laxmansinghmrathore6478]

Thanks Really KnowledgeBase Video

[@buildingbetterbaseball]

Thank you, I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@RG-zw5wc]

Good vid

[@JonKelso-xk7ct]

There is an exemption to the base path 3 ft. rule when running home from third. The runner can take any angle they like.

[@marysolzermeno4033]

If the opposite team catch the ball, can the runner run to 2nd or 3rd base?

[@buildingbetterbaseball]

Hi! If there’s a fly ball, the runner must stay at the base they’re at until the ball is caught (or dropped, but the defense has to touch the ball). Once ball is caught, the runner is allowed to advance to the next base if they choose. That’s called “tagging up”. All runners must tag up on every fly ball. Hope this helps!

[@montegtaylor]

We had a player get called out on first base because he didn't notice the player drop the ball and he turned toward the dugout and started walking to it. He didn't enter the dugout but was close before the coach got his attention. What rules is this?

[@buildingbetterbaseball]

Was he the hitter or the baserunner? Either way, that's a tough call. That's basically the umpire saying he gave up on the play - very similar to a batter who strikes out, but the catcher drops the third strike, and the batter walks to the dugout instead of running. Technically, the umpire could claim he was "out of the baseline / base path" if he needed a specific rule to say. That's a tough one!

[@montegtaylor]

@@buildingbetterbaseball he was the hitter, I've seen the comment on drop third strike. I haven't seen any comment on where the runner can be after he crosses first base. I've seen some big turns toward the fence before (away from second base) and they weren't called out. Someone else said it was a judgement call if he gave up on the play.

[@josephjones9719]

It depends on the rule set being followed. Little League ruleset has a different take on this rule. But, if Official Baseball Rules are being followed, then this applies: Rule 5.09(b)(1) and (2) Comment (Rule 7.08(a ) Comment): Any runner after reaching first base who leaves the base path heading for his dugout or his position believing that there is no further play, may be declared out if the umpire judges the act of the runner to be considered abandoning his efforts to run the bases. Even though an out is called, the ball remains in play in regard to any other runner.

[@taowaycamino4891]

I have a technical question. When a runner hits the ball and runs to first base, usually the momentum when the runner reaches first base takes them past the base and then they have to walk back to the base and step on it. So my question is: What if when the runner is walking back to first base to get into position, he then walks back doing the walking inside the foul line? Can the first baseman touch base with the ball on hand and the umpire call him out since he was walking back inside the foul line instead of walking back outside the foul line? Does the first baseman has to have the ball in the glove or hand for that out to happen? Or can the umpire just call the runner out for just walking back to first base inside the foul line as opposed to walking back outside the foul line(regardless if the first baseman is holding on to the ball or not)? Thanks

[@TheMaggiemay77]

As per your example, if you hit the ball, run to first, notice an overthrow and start to second, then realize you can't make it and rush back to first base, can they still tag you out on first? Thanks!

[@buildingbetterbaseball]

Hey! In that situation, as soon as you make the attempt to first, you turn into a "live" player (as I call it).. that means you can get tagged out. Once you get back to first base and you have contact with the base with any part of your body, you will be safe. No one can ever tag you out if you have contact with a base. Kind of like kids playing tag and they have a "base", or "safe zone" where they can't get tagged. Hope this helps!

[@primer3458]

If you are on first and the batter hits it to the outfield and it’s caught can the runner of first still go to second?

[@wareagle244]

@primer3458 Yes but they have to remain on first base until the ball is caught. So once the ball is caught then they can run to second. But if they run before, they can get tagged out or if a fielder tags first they are out.

[@Cfass1]

Can the defense play in the baseline when they are not making a defensive play on the ball? I would think not but l see this a lot in little league and the runners have to run around the infielders. Can the defense block the base when there is a play at the base and the runner is sliding. Is the runner supposed to slide to the side of the base when this happens? So many detailed rules. Thanks

[@buildingbetterbaseball]

To your first question, the defense should allow the runner to access the baseline if they aren't making a play on the ball. I'm not sure it's enforced a lot in little league unfortunately. To your second question, the defense is not supposed to block the bag on a tag play, the runner should be able to access the bag, but I see MLB players get away with this a lot - it's very tricky to call as an umpire. The runner has the option to slide anywhere they feel will give them the best chance to be safe - if that's to the side, then that's where they'll slide. There's no rule on where they can slide and not slide. So many detailed rules indeed!

[@Cfass1]

@@buildingbetterbaseball thanks for the replies back. I love the channel

[@CV1989Colt]

There are no baselines on the baseball field until a play is made on the runner. The straight line between bases IS NOT a baseline. The fielders may position themselves on the field wherever they please. The runner may choose to run in front of or behind the fielder but must allow the fielder the opportunity to field a batted ball if hit to them. The runner may not intentionally run into a fielder just because they don’t understand baseline rules as are not being correctly explained in this video. The fielder also may not intentionally obstruct the runner or block a base without possession of the ball.

[@dogpatch75]

What you are describing is called "obstruction". A fielder who does not have possession of the ball cannot impede a runner unless the fielder is in the act of going after a BATTED ball. This includes blocking a base without the ball. On close plays, the ball must be in the glove before the blocking move can occur. Obstruction calls are often not observed by fans because they are "delayed dead ball" calls. The penalty is only enforced at the end of playing action when the obstruction actually had an effect on the play. The only rules regarding sliding detail those illegal slides that can result in serious injury to the fielder. NCAA and NFHS rule books explain illegal slides very well.

[@dogpatch75]

@@CV1989Colt You are stating a common misconception regarding the term "baseline". A "baseline" is, in fact, a straight line between two bases. Please research the difference between "baseline" and "base path".

[@Cfass1]

Scoring Question: In your scenario there were 2 outs and a pickle between 1st and 2nd. The runner on 3rd base scored before they “tagged” out the runner going to second so the run counts. My question is even though they tagged the runner going to second wouldn’t it be considered a force play since the batter was going to first base forcing that runner in the pickle to second base? Or is it a tag play since the defense the defense tagged the runner regardless of the overall situation. If this is true, could the defense prevented the run from scoring if they realized this rule during the pickle and the defender touched 2nd base forcing the out at second base preventing the run counting at home regardless if the runner cross the plate first? Hope this makes sense. Thank you.

[@buildingbetterbaseball]

Thanks for the question! In this situation, since it was a batted ball put in play by the batter, it would be a force play. As long as the defense makes the out, the run wouldn't score. In a scenario where it wasn't a batted ball and let's say it was a pick off where the runner was fooled, that would be a tag play. All force plays - as long as the out is made - the run won't count. All tag plays, the out must happen before the runner scores in order to not be counted. Hope this helps!

[@PhilDowling-c5s]

If a runner gets hit by a hit ball is he out

[@buildingbetterbaseball]

Hey! It depends on where the runner is one the field. If they’re running in fair territory (basically the whole field from the first base line to third base line) then yes, they would be out as long as a defender doesn’t touch it first. If they’re on the third base line but running in foul territory, then they would not be out. Hope that makes sense!

[@strexyso]

7:23 Bro pooped his pants

[@CV1989Colt]

Oh damn. Wrong right from the start. The baseline is determined by the runners path to a base at the time a play is made on the runner. At that time the baseline becomes a straight line from runner to base. Every time the runner changes direction (as he would in a run down) the baseline is established again. The runner only gets 3’ to each side of the baseline to avoid a tag. If the baseline were a straight line between bases as you falsely draw out, every runner rounding a bag at full speed would end up outside of the baseline and by rule be out. I had to stop the video right away. Not a good start.

[@dogpatch75]

Oh damn! Please investigate the difference between a "baseline" and a "base path"! "Baselines" are nothing more than the straight lines between bases and are used for the sole purpose of measuring the field. They have nothing to do with where runners actually run. The term "base path" is correctly explained in the video. The term "baseline" is commonly used in error by old-school folks... fans, sportscasters, coaches, and umpires... who grew up in the game before the term "base path" was introduced.