Baserunners occupying the same base

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

Jan 29, 2016
151
28
So we had a girl hosed at home plate. She retreated back to 3rd which was occupied by a trailing baserunner. As she was retreating my catcher dove for her and tagged her before she made it back to 3rd. The trailing runner stayed on 3rd base momentarily during the play and retreated back to second after the diving tag and she realized there were two of them on the same base. Confusion ensued. It was a very close play. Other teams coach argued that she made it back to 3rd before the tag and stated she would be safe and both of them could occupy 3rd base and as long as the trialing runner didn't pass her Wouldn't she be out anyways even if she made it back to 3rd? If you tag the one of the girls that are both occupying a base is she out? I was trying to find it in the NSA rulebook cannot find anything in there regarding two baserunners occupying one base. I have heard in baseball you have to tag the trailing runner because they are by rule "in jeopardy" not the lead runner. Hopefully this is clear. I will try to post a video of the play. What is the CALL?

Thanks
Shaun
 
Aug 29, 2011
2,581
83
NorCal
Only one runner has a right to the base and is protected from being tagged out.
In this case the runner retreating from home had the right to the 3rd base (assuming the basses weren't loaded!)
If she was tagged out before she reached 3rd she's out and the runner from 2nd now on 3rd has the right to the base.
If she made it back to 3rd before the tag then the runner on who came from 2nd is at risk of being tagged out whether or not she is on the base.
Generally it's best to tag both and let the umpire sort out which one is safe and which one is out, but if either leaves the bag tag them both for good measure you may wind up with two outs.
 
Jan 29, 2016
151
28
The umpire stated "she was out on the tag, she was tagged before reaching the base". I was just trying to sort out in my brain what would have happened if she did make it to the base before the tag but was tagged when both runners were on the bag. You are saying the lead runner (the girl that was tagged) would have been safe and the catcher needed to tag the trailing runner? I thought if either are tagged they are out if they were both occupying the base.

She tried to reach and tag the trailing runner also but she was on her belly after diving to make the first tag and the trailing runner ran back to second and of course the catcher got up to her knees and fired the ball towards 2nd and it was way off line and went into right field. The lead runner took off back to home (after being called out), trailing runner went back towards 3rd, rounded 3rd, Right fielder or 2B fires the ball home and we almost had another crazy play at home (lead runner beat the throw so everyone in their bleachers was upset when they found out the run didn't count because she was out already) and at 3rd but luckily the pitcher received the throw and calmly got back to the circle. It was truely chaotic.
 
May 24, 2013
12,461
113
So Cal
In the situation of your play, the lead runner (R1) was tagged out before returning to 3B, leaving the base open and available to be occupied by the trailing runner (R2)...assuming it wasn't a force play.

As long as R1 is not being forced home, she still has the right to return to 3B. If R1 and R2 are both occupying 3B at the same time, R2 does not have rights to the base, and is liable to be tagged out if she does not safely return to 2B.

If R1 is being forced home, she does not have the right to return to 3B, and is out when tagged by a fielder or by a fielder stepping on home plate.

It sounds like the umpire got it right.
 
Last edited:
Feb 21, 2017
198
28
This happened in my daughter HS game.

Simple is that two players can occupy a base while the ball is live but only one is “safe” which means you can tag one who the umpire will call out. The current play doesn’t end until this is sorted.

As mentioned you should tag both then when the umpire calls one out (the first person tagged). At youth ages confusion will ensue and there is a chance the second runner steps off and then tag them again.

I have taught this and 50% of the time we get 2 outs.

CoC
 
Oct 11, 2018
231
43
This happened in my daughter HS game.

Simple is that two players can occupy a base while the ball is live but only one is “safe” which means you can tag one who the umpire will call out. The current play doesn’t end until this is sorted.

As mentioned you should tag both then when the umpire calls one out (the first person tagged). At youth ages confusion will ensue and there is a chance the second runner steps off and then tag them again.

I have taught this and 50% of the time we get 2 outs.

CoC

Its unclear to me if you are saying "the first person tagged" is out because that is not always the case. If the lead runner was not forced to advance, she is still the one with the rights to the base. if she is tagged first, she is not out. The trailing runner who is occupying the same base is the one who can be tagged for an out, even while standing on the base. Sorry if I misunderstood you statement. SweetLou above had a good explanation.
 
Feb 21, 2017
198
28
Its unclear to me if you are saying "the first person tagged" is out because that is not always the case. If the lead runner was not forced to advance, she is still the one with the rights to the base. if she is tagged first, she is not out. The trailing runner who is occupying the same base is the one who can be tagged for an out, even while standing on the base. Sorry if I misunderstood you statement. SweetLou above had a good explanation.

Sorry I was not clear I was running out to a game so I was typing with rereading to ensure clarity.

In MLB and NFHS the lead runner is the one who is entitled to the base if two runners are on the base. No one is automatically out as a runner has to be tagged (otherwise the Lead runner can advance or Trail runner can retreat).

If both runners are on the base (and not passing each other) tagging the Trail runner puts him/her out. In the same situation tagging the Lead runner puts the Trail runner out.

Generally tag both or if the fielders are smart enough tag the lead and hope they are confused then wait for him/her to step off. Most often the umpire points and signals an out but is not verbally specific on who is out.

CoC



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Oct 11, 2018
231
43
Sorry I was not clear I was running out to a game so I was typing with rereading to ensure clarity.

In MLB and NFHS the lead runner is the one who is entitled to the base if two runners are on the base. No one is automatically out as a runner has to be tagged (otherwise the Lead runner can advance or Trail runner can retreat).

If both runners are on the base (and not passing each other) tagging the Trail runner puts him/her out. [I]In the same situation tagging the Lead runner puts the Trail runner out[/I].

Generally tag both or if the fielders are smart enough tag the lead and hope they are confused then wait for him/her to step off. Most often the umpire points and signals an out but is not verbally specific on who is out.

CoC
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don't understand the part about tagging the lead runner and the trail runner is out? I expect that if you tag only the lead runner while both are on the base, no one is out. I think you have to specifically tag the trail runner while both are on the base to obtain an out.
 
Feb 21, 2017
198
28
My understanding (I would have to double check with a friend who is good college ump) is tagging either runner with both on the base puts the Trail runner out. It sounds from the rule below it has to specifically be the Trail runner but pretty sure IRL an umpire has called an out tagging one. Generally simple to tag everyone.

Here is MLB rule from section 5.06. Would need to check wording with ASA and NFHS

(2) Two runners may not occupy a base, but if, while the ball is alive, two runners are touching a base, the following runner shall be out when tagged and the preceding runner is entitled to the base, unless Rule 5.06(b)(2) applies.
 
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
That is clear as mud but I do think trail runner is out.

Unless 5.06 b, section 2 applies. Is Ginsberg the longest supreme? I need a ruling.

Coaching 1st being the perfesional I am, sent batter-runner to 3rd. Runner on 2nd retreated from home for some reason. Batter-runner retreated back to 2nd.

I apologized to her, she sad I had a great time I have never been to 3rd before. Big smile. :)
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,479
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top