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Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!hou3c!hocda!houxm!houxz!halle1
From: halle1@houxz.UUCP (J.HALLE)
Newsgroups: net.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: Runner's tagging up and 4 outs.
Message-ID: <792@houxz.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 16-May-84 09:26:57 EDT
Article-I.D.: houxz.792
Posted: Wed May 16 09:26:57 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 17-May-84 03:47:56 EDT
References: <188@princeton.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 10

If the throw gets the runner before he gets back to first, the run
does NOT count.  This situation is specifically mentioned in the rule
book.  However, this brings up an interesting strategy.  Suppose he has
rounded second and is halfway to third.  If he retraces his steps he
will be out easily.  But suppose he makes a beeline for first, cutting across
the mound.  He will beat the throw to first.  Now an appeal will be made at
second, since he failed to retouch it.  He will be called out, but the run
will count.  (Unless they fixed that loophole when I wasn't looking.  At
least it used to be true.)  N.B. leaving the base paths is only an automatic
out if done so to avoid a tag or to interfere with a fielder.