Running the Bases Backwards in Baseball
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William D. Jones, MD, has practiced occupational and preventive medicine in Oklahoma City since completing his residency in 1994, while also participating in recreational and charitable softball activities. The document describes a unique baseball rule that allows a base runner to travel the bases in reverse under specific circumstances, illustrated by an incident involving Jean Segura and Ryan Braun in a 2013 game. It notes that while reverse running is permitted under certain conditions, it cannot be used as a tactical maneuver or mockery in MLB games.
Running the Bases Backwards in Baseball
- 1. William D Jones MD
- 2. William D. Jones, MD, finished his residency in Oklahoma City, OK, in 1994 and has continued to practice occupational and preventive medicine in the area since then. Away from work William D. Jones, MD, engages in a variety of recreational and charitable softball activities with numerous OK organizations. He also enjoys watching Major and Minor League Baseball games on television. With a professional rule book spanning more than 280 pages, it is safe to assume the casual baseball fan is not aware of every regulation in the sport. For example, many followers of the game may be unaware that it is legal for a base runner to travel the bases in reverse order. The rule is rarely seen enforced in professional games, though instances have occurred, including during a 2013 game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Chicago Cubs.
- 3. Shortly after stealing second base, Milwaukees Jean Segura attempted to steal third but was caught in a pickle. After successfully navigating his way back to second base, Segura found himself standing next to teammate Ryan Braun, who had advanced from first during the pickle. A Cubs player immediately tagged both players. Segura headed towards the dugout, and first base, before hearing the umpire correctly call Braun out. Segura remained on first, having legally traveled from second to first. The official Major League Baseball (MLB) rulebook states that no player can run the bases in reverse order as a tactical defensive decision or in any manner that could be considered a mockery of the sport. However, any runner that reaches an unoccupied base and for any other reason travels back to another unoccupied base, that runner cannot be tagged out.