he running lane: Why does that little piece of real estate amidst the open areas of a baseball field continue to generate so many controversial plays? Why do rule books specifically address that area and treat it differently from the rest of the field. Recent rulings in the playoffs and World Series continue to cause controversy among players, coaches, fans, and even trained officials. Added to that are numerous issues that arise at the amateur level regarding “questionable” plays at first base.

But without chaos, we would not recognize order when we see it.

The controversy results from questions regarding the lane’s restrictions combined with when and how those restrictions should be applied. Not only do I intend to address the written rule itself combined with its many debated issues of enforcement, but I will also compare those same concepts to controversial plays that occurred in MLB. Finally, I will look at the recent official interpretations received by Carl Childress last month from PBUC to see how they feel the rule should be enforced.

Continued...