What Happens When Two Runners End up on the Same Base?

Two Runners, One Base
0:00 - intro
0:13 - if there's a force play
1:10 - if there's no force play
1:58 - tagging both runners
2:41 - recap

[@karim.finalblow4356]

Thanks for the video! I always wondered what would happen if 2 runners ended on the same base for a long time and now I know.

[@jakeandwillairsoft6812]

I showed my son this video and he loves it thanks

[@abrahamesquivel4670]

thank you

[@allans7281]

Excellent video thanks for the explanation

[@JJ-zo4xs]

random comment on a 2 year old video... but just wanted to say the painted art for the videos are really nice!

[@dogpatch75]

A base protects one runner at a time. The runner who does NOT have a right to the base IS protected until there actually two runners touching that base. This is important for runners to understand in rundown situations. In rundowns, the trailing runner should always make an effort to get to the lead runner's base while the rundown progresses because well executed rundowns will very likely result in the lead runner being put out. The tricky part is for the trailer to not be caught between bases when the lead runner is put out.

[@williamfulton9571]

Great video thanks!

[@Bakakomori]

Please help me. I just read about a rule: "When a fielder, after catching a fly ball, steps or falls into any out-of-play area. All other runners shall advance one base, without liability to be put out, from his last legally touched base at the time the fielder entered such out-of play area." Does this rule also apply when it's not a fly ball out but the ball hit ground before fielder caught it and got into an out-of-play area? And if so, what if the leading runner didn't reach next base but the following did (so both runners' last legally touched base is the same) and this happened? And another thing (sry, i'm smoking good atm): I read that the tagged out player, who is illegally at the base, is just called out if the other runner still has it's food on base. If that's true, are the baserunners theoretically able to step off and on the base alternately without getting tagged out? And it gets more complicated thinking about this scenario at 2nd base while a runner is on 1st 😅 I really hope somebody can help me out ☺ Btw: Thanks for this great video 👍

[@damienbell3155]

Shouldn’t the order of sequence matter in how you tag both runners out on 2nd. With batter runner occupying 1st, if you tag the runner that has come to 2nd from 1st and is tagged out first , it kills the runner that was on 2nd going to 3rd so no force out. If you tag the runner that was supposed to go to 3rd then touch 2nd or the runner that is coming from 1st then he or she is out. Double play.

[@kevinb4077]

The double play you describe would only hold true if one of the runners came off the base. There is no double play if you tag both runners while they are both co-occupying the same base - just one runner will be called out.

[@damienbell3155]

@@kevinb4077 yah I made this comment a yr ago and about 2 months ago I reread the rule set cause this play calls for both runners on B2. Thanks for responding to this. I was changing the scenario

[@ryanschreiber2007]

What do you do when there is no force out and the defense tags the lead runner but fails to tag the trail runner? Does it remain a live ball until that tag is made or the trail runner retreats back to first?

[@TheOnDeckCircle]

Yes, it would remain a live ball, but I can't ever recall seeing that happen because I can't imagine a team letting a runner run back to the previous base without trying to tag him out.

[@dogpatch75]

If the lead runner is safe, the trailer's job is to try to induce a second rundown while returning. A second rundown involving the trailer while the lead runner is free to advance puts pressure on the defense which can lead to errors. In softball with 60' bases, rundowns can be a very dynamic part of the game IF coaches understand how to teach their players how to execute correctly. 😀

[@Elhombre95382]

What happens if there's already a person on first base, but the batter gets a free walk because the pitcher threw 4 outside the strike-zone? Would the person on the first get a free walk to second then?

[@Bakakomori]

yes :)

[@r.h.1548]

I know this video is about 2 years old ,but let's say it is a ground ball and 3rd and 2nd bag is occupied , 1st bag unoccupied ,so there is no force from 2nd bag to 3rd but somehow there is a rundown between 3rd and home , but runner from 3rd and 2nd bag end up on 3rd , i guess the trailing runner is out (man from 2nd bag ) because as mentioned 1st was not occupied and so there was no force to advance to 3rd bag. So when they tag both the original runner from second is out ? or am I wrong , if someone could answer me the question it would be very nice.

[@dogpatch75]

Correct. The lead runner has the right to return to 3B because it is not a forced play. As a side note, the base does protect the trailing runner until the lead runner actually touches the bag. At that point with two runners on the same bag, the trailer looses protection.

[@r.h.1548]

@@dogpatch75 thank you for clarifying this specific situation