July 11, 2024

Runner Called Out for Running Out of the Baseline

A clear understanding of the baseline rule can improve the running game and impact the outcome of games

Runner Called Out for Running Out of the Baseline

The Guardians and Royals played in Kansas City on June 27, 2024. In the bottom of the fifth, the Royals had Nick Loftin on second base and Hunter Renfroe at bat with two outs when Renfroe hit a ground ball to José Ramírez at third base. Ramirez did not think he had a play at first, so instead of throwing the ball to first base, Ramirez attempted to tag Lofton who was headed to third. Ramirez could not reach Loftin, but third base umpire Tripp Gibson called Loftin out for running out of the baseline.

Did Loftin run out of the baseline?

Royals manager Matt Quatraro didn’t think so. He argued the call and was ejected.


Ruleball Comments

  1. In my opinion based on the current interpretation of the baseline rule, Loftin should have been safe.
  2. Official Baseball Rule 5.09 (b)(1) reads, “Any runner is out when he runs more than three feet away from his base path to avoid being tagged unless his action is to avoid interference with a fielder fielding a batted ball. A runner’s base path is established when the tag attempt occurs and is a straight line from the runner to the base they are attempting to reach safely.
  3. Notice the rule refers to the “baseline” as a “base path.” Since nobody says a runner runs out of the base path, I’ll stick with “baseline.” A runner’s makes his own base path which is unrestricted. A runner’s baseline is restricted.
  4. A runner only has a restricted baseline when he is avoiding a tag or when he is in a rundown. The restricted baseline is a straight line to the base the runner is going to, and the runner cannot exceed three-feet to either side of the line. This is a judgment call, and it is not reviewable.
  5. The rule as written is incomplete because it does not identify when a tag attempt begins. As of 2017, the fielder no longer has to extend ball in glove or ball in hand toward the runner to create the restricted baseline. Under current rules, the tag attempt begins the moment the fielder with control of the ball in his hand or glove, makes a motion toward the runner. At that point, the runner’s baseline is an “imaginary” straight line to the base he is going to, and he cannot exceed three-feet to either side of the imaginary line which is umpire judgment. So, the runner has 6-feet of real estate.
  6. MLB needs to add, makes a motion toward the runner to the current rule.
  7. Loftin was wisely coached to widen his unrestricted base path in anticipation of the tag attempt. This is a technique that players on all levels of every organization should consider.
  8. Defensively, the fielder needs to make a motion toward the runner ASAP which creates the restricted baseline. 
  9. If you look at the video timer at the 6 second mark, that is when Ramirez makes a motion toward Loftin. At that point, you should freeze or pause your video, and make your imaginary line.
  10. From this corner, Loftin was within his restricted baseline at the point he made his approach to the base and never exceeded the three-foot limit.   
  11. The worst thing a runner can do is wait until late in the play to avoid the tag and move horizontally to escape the tag. This plays into the 3-foot rule and the runner should be called out by the umpire. If this should happen the ball remains alive.

You Make the Call 

The following play occurred in the July 1, 2024 game between the Brewers and Rockies at Coors Field. In the top of the fifth inning Joey Ortiz was batting when he hit a tapper back to the mound. Rockies pitcher Austin Gomber chased Ortiz up the first base line.

First base ump Brian O’Nora called Ortiz out for running out of the baseline. Based on the information I have supplied in the above Ruleball Comments, would you have called Ortiz out for running out of the baseline? The call led to the ejection of Brewers manager Pat Murphy.

My answer is found at the end of this report… See if you agree with me.     


The Rundown

  • During a rundown, the runner’s restricted baseline is a straight line to the base he is going to, and he cannot exceed 3-feet on either side of the line. When the runner changes direction, he has a new baseline. A wise runner in a rundown should realize he has 6-feet to deal with and should be aware of a defensive player who fails to properly vacate when rotating. If a runner notices this, he should head-hunt the defensive player and draw the Type 1 obstruction call.
  • In my opinion, the best way to avoid a tag in a rundown is to fall to the ground, backpedal, or change direction. By doing so, it can buy time for a preceding runner to cross the plate in a “Time Play” situation. And regarding the 4-4-3 situation, often times the second baseman will throw to first to make sure he gets at least one out if the runner disappears from sight because he fell to the ground. On the throw to first, the runner who has fallen to the ground should regain his feet as soon as possible and get to second base in scoring position.

Running from First to Second

Runners need to know that their base path is not restricted. Example: The runner on first is picked-off, so he takes off for second. In my opinion, the runner should run at the fielder’s target (glove) who is receiving the throw-usually the shortstop. The runner can legally do this because he is not avoiding a tag, nor is he in a rundown. The runner legally gets in the vision of the shortstop and makes the throw more challenging for the first baseman. Also, I do not believe many teams practice this play with a disruptive runner.

In the following play, watch how Rajai Davis successfully disrupts the throw by creating his own non-restrictive runner’s base path.  This play occurred during the 2017 season, but it has learning value.

               

Another situation is when the first baseman attempts to execute the 3-3-6 or 3-6-3 DP. I would recommend, when possible, the runner should head to second base in the direction of the fielder’s (usually the shortstop) target or glove.  Because the runner is not avoiding a tag, nor is he in a rundown, he should make use of his non-restrictive base path to hinder the vision of the fielder and raise the degree of difficulty for the first baseman’s throw.


Running Third to Home

How often do we see a runner remain in foul territory the entire distance from third to home when there’s a ground ball that is fielded by the third baseman toward the bag. By doing so, he is giving the fielder a free throwing lane. A smart runner will take his lead in foul territory. If the runner is going on contact and the batted ball is hit toward third base, in my opinion, once the batted ball gets by the runner, he should get into fair territory. He has a non-restrictive runner’s path and should take advantage of what the rules allow. By getting between the third baseman and the catcher, he is creating a great deal of pressure for the defensive team.

During the 2020 season, Paul Goldschmidt legally hindered the throw from third to home and scored. Again, how many teams practice this play with a disruptive runner? I have more recent situations, but I like the way Goldschmidt ran third to home.


My Answer to You Make the Call…

In my opinion, Ortiz did not exceed his three-foot lane from the time Gomber made a motion to tag him. It was, however, very close and sometimes video distorts depth perception. Pause the video at the 3-secoind mark, and judge if Ortiz exceeded his three-foot limit.  I think Murphy had a good argument.

Also, notice that the broadcasters were confused about the rule as they kept referencing the expanded Runner’s Lane which has nothing to do with the baseline rule.

The call proved pivotal as the Rockies won 8-7 in 10 innings.


Rich Marazzi

Rules consultant/analyst:  Angels, D’backs, Dodgers, Mets, Nationals, Orioles, Padres, Phillies, Pirates, Red Sox, Rangers, Royals, Tigers, Twins, White Sox, Yankees, YES, and NBC Sports Chicago. 

Comments

dstub

I have to disagree with EGRUBBS8 above on both plays. The reasoning is sound that Ortiz moved from 1-foot inside fair territory to the running lane line means he moved laterally 4 feet. The problem is that by the time Ortiz reached the running lane line, he was beyond the tag. At the point where Gomber’s tag was the closest to Ortiz (0:03 mark), Ortiz’ foot was 1-foot into foul ground and therefore within his 3-foot running lane. Granted, it takes stop-motion replay to see it but the first time I saw it in real time I called him safe.

The call at third base is a little closer to the razor’s edge. I agree that Loftin’s move toward the outfield came in two parts: first to avoid the fielder making a play (about one step) and second to avoid the tag. The two parts are divided at the moment Ramírez, with the ball, changes his momentum from going toward first base to toward Lofton. It is at that point that Lofton’s line to the base is established. Even with freeze-frame analysis, it looks like Lofton was about 35 to 37 inches from his restricted basepath. Pretty close but I would have called him out. The author’s larger strategic advice that runners should start their deviation earlier and well before the fielder has the ball remains a good point.

What is less clear in all of these plays is: While avoiding a tag, how much of the runner’s body must be outside his restricted lane for him to be out? Any part of his body? His entire body? The body part the tag came closest to?

jeffyterdal

How is the runner’s position determined for the purpose of this rule? Where his feet or foot are, where his last step was, where any part of his body is? Joey Ortiz ran inside the foul line most of the way. His feet may have been outside the imaginary 3-foot lane created by that, but he was leaning left and at least part of his body appeared to be above that lane. What if he’d dove to the ground, rolled and tagged the base with his hand and his feet were 6 feet into foul territory?

EGRUBBS8

I have to disagree with the Ortiz-Gomber opinion. Ortiz is clearly left of the baseline, probably close to 1′ away. At the end of the tag attempt Ortiz barely steps on the outside chalk and is going further away. Therefore, Ortiz altered more than the width of the first base running lane. I do have to agree with you that Loftin should not have been called out at third. I was watching that game on TV and thought the Royals TV announcers presented a very good argument. Loftin had to alter prior to the tag, in order not to interfere with catching the hit, but as a life long Cleveland fan, I was happy with the call. Thank goodness it was non-reviewable!

Have a question or comment for one of our experts?

Don't strike out!

Become a part of the largest baseball rules community in the world!

Get free access to baseball forums, rules analysis and exclusive email content from current and former Major League Baseball players and umpires.