Expert: Dennis Girardi - 6/24/2008

Question
Little league minors baseball game:

Ok, situation is bases loaded, 2 outs, and batter is walked by receiving 4 balls.  Runner on third advances to home, and misses home plate.  On his way to the dugout, coaches and players on both teams realize he has missed the plate.  Runner makes his way to the dugout, then turns around and touches home, but is tagged by the catcher with the ball.  At no time does any coach or player touch the runner.

Is he out or safe?  He has not left the field of play by entering the dugout, and is always in the field of play, albeit in foul territory.

Little league rule book does not have a specific rule regarding this, but does say if he leaves the field of play, he is out.  What if he does not leave the field of play?

Answer
Hey Scott,

As long as the runner did not enter the dugout, the play continues. If the catcher tagged him before the runner got to home plate, then he is out. If the runner tagged home first, then he is safe. There is NO "out of the baseline issue here, because the runner was NOT trying to avoid a tag.
Good Luck.
Dennis