Odd Play

[danmcc]

Man on first, one out, batter hits a double into right center gap.

Runner stops on third, batter starts to stretch to triple.
Ball from right field is thrown towards third but hits batter in baseline between 2nd and 3rd.
runner on third starts to home
batter steps on third, then moves off the base into the coaches box falling on the ground in pain
runner on third hesitantly starts to home and ends up in a pickle but ultimately gets back to third safe.
Defense tags batter, in coaches box.

Ump call is batter is out and runner from 1st is safe at third.

My thought was that since the batter safely made it to third and the runner made it back to third then third is occupied by 2 runners which would be 2 outs?
What is the community ruling on this?
Batter is fine for those concerned.

[OhioTex]

Ump correct. only one out when two runners "safely" at same base, and it is the trailing runner who is out if both tagged while on the base.

[TurboAg]

OhioTex is right-No surprise. The base belongs to the runner who rightlfully occupies it, defined by the position of the lead runner. Since the lead runner was not forced to advance home, he is entitled to 3rd base until he reaches home, just a runner from 2nd would have the rights to 2nd base if he were to return to 2nd before touching 3rd (assuming 3rd base wasn't occupied at the time).

[danmcc]

Thank you for the explanation, makes sense.

[PetroGuy]

I think the ump is right but not because two players occupy the same base. The batter is not occupying 3B since he touched it and continued past. Once the runner came back, the batter essentially passed the runner and would be out.

[OhioTex]

Two runners may not occupy a base, but if, while the ball is alive, two runners are touching a base, the following runner shall be out when tagged and the preceding runner is entitled to the base (source: MLB 7.03 (a) )

I also agree if a runner was passed then the trailing runner is out by rule .

[OhioTex]

follow up.

I just re read the original scenario, I had forgotten (sorry) the batter was tagged out in the coaches box. (not while standing on third).

Defense tags batter, in coaches box.

still an out but , Now i get Petroguys extra point of clarification on base running.
the Runner essentially caused himself to be passed by the batter, -- the point Petro guy was making (sorry Petro, I missed it)

Question back, is the tag on batter needed? or is the batter out by rule wen he passes another runner.

[PetroGuy]

Question back, is the tag on batter needed? or is the batter out by rule wen he passes another runner.

MLB 7.08(h) states the runner is out if he passes another runner before such runner is out. I take it that means no tag is necessary.

[danmcc]

Another thought. The batter technically does not pass the runner. The runner on third is in the pickle between home and 3rd before returning to 3rd. Is it considered passing the runner when the batter touches 3rd and "occupies" the same bag?

[TurboAg]

No. As long as both runners are not occupying the bag (3rd in this case) at the same time, the trailing runner is safe to remain on the bag, but he is not entitled to it as long as the preceding has not advanced to the next base/home. If the leading runner manages to return to the bag occupied by the trailing runner, the trailing runner may be put out when tagged. It is not considered passing the runner, hence the need to tag the runner.