[raybbr]

By definition the basepath is a line from where the runner starts his run to the base with a three foot lane on either side of that line. It’s a misconception that the chalk line is the basepath.

[a little elbow grease]

By definition the basepath is a line from where the runner starts his run to the base with a three foot lane on either side of that line. It’s a misconception that the chalk line is the basepath.

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I never knew that. But just to be sure, I'm going to look it up.

I played this game for money many years ago and I must say I never heard of that "rule."

I have however over the years seen dozens of runners called out running to first base slightly in fair territory, after getting drilled in the back with the ball by the catcher. Many times the catcher DRILLED THE RUNNER ON PURPOSE --- automatic out.

I'll check out what you wrote, and thanks for that for now.

Great game now,

[a little elbow grease]

http://www.qcbaseball.com/rules/running-lane.aspx

Running Lane to First Base —— (I think that you were wrong with your explanation.)

[a little elbow grease]

By definition the basepath is a line from where the runner starts his run to the base with a three foot lane on either side of that line. It’s a misconception that the chalk line is the basepath.

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See post # 71.

[a little elbow grease]

Harold Reynolds and Joe Girardi were on the post game show last night. They went into great detail about how they were sure that Bellinger interfered.

They got out on their little studio baseball field and showed how Bellinger ran up the first base line in FAIR territory. They both thought it was interference by Bellinger. They said if they were managing Boston they "WOULD HAVE BEEN SCREAMING" at the no-call.

But the umpires chose not to call it for some bizarre GUTLESS reason.

And it being unreviewable, nothing happened and Boston scored 4 runs as a result.

Bellinger interfered and it wasn't called.

They even included a great few seconds of actual "film" from the game from a camera that had been placed DIRECTLY looking toward homeplate from the right field line --- directly down the line as Bellinger hurried to first base, running INSIDE the line the entire way.

It was a judgment call by the umpire that he did not interfere. Reynolds and Girardi were vehemently disagreeing. (QUITE EXCELLENT OF THEM to call out the umpires on national tv!)

That to me was one of the worst (and important) non-calls in baseball history.

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Once more:

http://www.qcbaseball.com/rules/running-lane.aspx

Running Lane to First Base

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PS --- Bellinger is a smart kid. He was very sly. Being a left handed batter (as I was all my playing years), he knew that the natural momentum/force of a left-handed hitter after his swing is to pull your body out toward FOUL territory as you are leaving the batters box.

He had to quickly and purposefully adjust and turn INTO THE FIELD OF PLAY so he could be a problem for the catcher. He is a very fast runner. The catcher's throw grazed him right before he got to the bag (he was still in fair territory). The catcher should have DRILLED HIM right in the back. Then baseball fans may have gotten the correct call.

Gutless umps!