NSA Runner to 1st out of base path

[Redfuzzbutt]

NSA. Batter hits ball, thought the ball was caught in air and started to walk to dugout. Infielder (2nd base) receives ball and makes throw to 1st, bad throw and ball gets past 1st baseman.

Team is telling at batter/runner to run to 1st but umpire calls batter out for leaving the base path (still in field of play, not in dugout).

When umpire is questioned about the call, states that in NSA there is a base path straight to first base (foul line is marked in chalk, second line in foul territory by about two feet, 25' from home plate to the outside of the orange 1st base). Umpire continues that unless the ball is hit to the outfield and runner is swinging wide to round 1st base, they must run directly to the base.

I'm not familiar enough with NSA rules, but is this accurate?

 

[MaverickAH]

No, that is not accurate. That's an incorrect ruling.

NSA is just like every other association. As long as the B/R did not leave the field of play or was trying to avoid a tag or interfere with a throw, play should have been allowed to continue. The actual NSA definition of 'Base Path' is, "The imaginary direct line, as well as three feet to either side of the direct line, between a base and a runner’s position at the time a defensive player is attempting to apply a tag."

So as long as the B/R was still in play, they should have been allowed to attempt to reach first base in the situation you've describe.

 

[Redfuzzbutt]

No, that is not accurate. That's an incorrect ruling.

NSA is just like every other association. As long as the B/R did not leave the field of play or was trying to avoid a tag or interfere with a throw, play should have been allowed to continue. The actual NSA definition of 'Base Path' is, "The imaginary direct line, as well as three feet to either side of the direct line, between a base and a runner’s position at the time a defensive player is attempting to apply a tag."

So as long as the B/R was still in play, they should have been allowed to attempt to reach first base in the situation you've describe.

Thank you. That was my understanding as well. The play had no effect on the outcome of the game, just wanted clarification for future scenarios.

 

[MaverickAH]

One more point of clarification:

The foul line is just that. A line to delineate fair or foul. It is not the base path. They are two completely different & separate things. The only time it could possibly come into play in a situation like this is in defining the runner's lane which is where the B/R is supposed to be in when running to first as to not interfere with a throw coming from the direction of home plate or with the defensive player covering 1B.