TECH TALK: Running inside the base paths with umpire Ted Barrett

FOX Sports Ohio's Chris Welsh talks to umpire Ted Barret about the ins and outs of staying inside the lines while running to first base

[ronrichardson]

That guy, Ted Barrett, is the best ump I have ever seen....he's incredible....knows the game as well or better than anyone

[StuartHollingsead]

Is this only for first base?
What about stepping out of line to get hit by the ball between third and home?

[DavidEmerling]

That was a very simplistic explanation that I think most people already know. I wish they had talked about trickier rulings like: 1. What if the runner is out of the lane and in the catcher's attempt to throw to 1st, he airmails the ball 5 feet over the first baseman's head? 2. What if the runner has one foot in the lane and the other foot on the line when he's struck by a thrown ball? 3. What if the throw is from the shortstop and his throw pulls the first baseman toward the runner (who is OUT of the lane) and is consequently unable to catch the ball because the throw hits the runner? 4. What if a runner is stealing on the play and reaches the next base BEFORE the batter-runner is guilty of a lane violation? Where do you place that runner?

[almisks]

So umps got it right on Turner in game 6 of WS 2019. Still need additional work on 1B, Harper and Bryant injuries from slick base in wet weather were due to the equipment, needs attention, no need to injure players. Grounds crew can wipe it off (like NBA) during sprinkles or just stop play, too many games are payed IN the rain!

[CosmoKramer-bfod]

Technically speaking Mookie Wilson ran out of the baseline in the 5th inning of 2024 World Series.

[dogpatch]

It's always good to see folks attempting to highlight and explain the rules through video. However, this is a great example of poor terminology still used in MLB! The chalk line being discussed is called the FOUL line. Its outside edge marks the boundary of fair territory. It does not mark a base line. A "base line" is nothing more than an imaginary direct line between two consecutive bases used to establish the location of base anchors. A batter-runner must establish his base PATH inside the runner's lane to be protected from interference. The runner's lane protects the batter-runner from interfering with a fielder RECEIVING a throw at first base, not from interfering with the catcher making a throw. The rule does not specify which fielder must originate the throw. If he has correctly established his path in the lane, the batter-runner retains his protection from interference if he takes his last step outside the lane in order to align himself to step on the bag. 🤔

[lastl]

This controversy could have been nipped in the bud if they had let Ted explain the rule and the call instead of incoherent Joe Torre. Torre literally made the situation worse. I honestly don't think he quite understands how running in the lane and getting hit by the throw are equal partners in the final call.

[garygemmell]

Runners do NOT establish a baseline, they establish a basepath.

[A-FrameWedge]

Not very definitive answer, he said that runner will probably be out if hit by the ball if he is running inside the base path, but probably leaves too much room for interpretation.

[BachBeethovenBerg]

Change the lane to be square with the bag!!

[cloudwatcher]

you garnered a major league umpire talk about the runner's lane and you couldn't come up with a field that HAS a runner's lane for illustration? i quit watching at 0:18