[mkmensinger]

Supposedly it’s to protect the fielders. It’s been around a long time. Plays at first and third are called much more closely. It’s a bit like offside in hockey. If they called everything, they’d constantly be stopping play.

[LukeL]

Then they should have the softball style base for 2nd where there is a zone for the fielder and a zone for the runner

[Sicon]

Not sure what hockey league you watch, but in the NHL, they ALWAYS call offsides, and very, very rarely get it wrong, and they most definitely don't let it slide if its "close" int the interest of keeping the game moving.

Believe me, I've gone back and watched many plays since I got a DVR, and they have only gotten it wrong a couple of times, usually because their view is blocked.