Quote:
Originally Posted by jtur88
Kemp was touching first, and Ethier had already passed first. By one school of thought, Etheir was past Kemp, even though they were not both in the baseline. By another school, the provision that a batter-runner can over-run first base without jeopardy implies that he has not proceeded beyond first base. Unless, of course, Ethier then turned toward second, in which case, his overrunning of the bag constituted an effort to proceed to second, in which case, he was further along than Kemp, who was still touching first.
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What if Kemp was ten feet off the base, and then Ethier rounded the base and went nine feet from the foul line, further toward the outfield? Essentially, Ethier would not have passed Kemp yet. That seems to be the same as what really happened. I'd say passing a base in a direction that takes you no closer to the next base is not really going past the base in the literal sense.
I guess the rule does have some utility, in that it keeps the defense from getting too confused. I think the rule should be revised to allow for incidental passing that is immediately remedied, as long as a play isn't being made on either player at the time. In other words, if a fielder who is throwing to that base area on his own (without a subsequent relay) is in the process of making a throw, then that would be making a play. The rule seems too stringent to me.