Expert: Rick Bundy - 5/13/2009

Question
If you have runners on 2nd & 3rd the batter @ the plate hits a comebacker to the pithcher the pithcher fields the ball & has the runner @ 3rd on a run down the runner @ second touches 3rd is he allowed to go back to 2nd or once he touches 3rd that base belong to him

Answer
Mario:

The runner from second can attempt to return to second.  Third base is not legally his until the original runner from third is safe at home, or is put out.

If during the rundown, both players end up on third base, the runner from second is the one which will be called out, when tagged.  I always teach my infielders to tag both runners on the base, let the umpire make the call.

For players, in that rundown situation, the one in the rundown is responsible to stay in that rundown as long as possible, so the runners behind them can move up.

The player at second is looking to get to third before the other runner is tagged out.

From a coaching standpoint, it becomes assumed that the player in the rundown will be put out in most cases, and you want the trail runner to advance as far as possible, thus making the most of a bad situation.

I hope this helps clarify the situation for you.  This situation comes up frequently.

Yours in baseball,

Rick