ASA RULES: Runner on 3rd, 1 out, 2strikes. Offense is in the 1st base dugout. Right handed batter swung at a pitch in the dirt. Catcher blocked ball and proceeded to try to tag batter-Runner. Batter-runner retreats backwards out of the batters box in an attempt to avoid tag. She dodged the tag and proceeded to take a couple steps up 3rd base line, never attempting to move toward 1st. Catcher stops chasing, assuming she’s out due to being out of the base path, throws the ball back to the pitcher. Batter-runner also assumed she has been called out. The umpire never declared the batter-runner out until she jogged into the dugout. In a conversation with the umpire, he stated the batter-runner can take any route she chooses to 1st base. It ended up not making a difference as the call ended up being an out, however the explanation and delayed out call feels inaccurate. Wouldn’t the batter be called out due to rule 8, section 2H? A little confusing since she didn’t really step back toward home to avoid the tag, but this situation certainly seems like it’s the spirit of what this rule was trying to prevent.
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