Why are you allowed to overrun first base and not second or third ?

Question

I know the rules allow it ... but why do they allow it ? Was there a rash of injuries in the beginning ? Or was it just to hard to get a hit if you had to slow down to stay on first ?

Answer 1

To allow all those beer'n'brat boys a full head of steam heading down the line. All the biggest boys used to play first, block it and take out half of the other team.

Answer 2

Honestly I think it has to do with people not wanting to get dirty for no reason in the olden days. I mean you have to run hard to first pretty much every time you hit the ball, why make someone slide and get dirty when they're probably getting thrown out.

I also think it's because it's easier to determine whether the runner is attempting to goto the next base or not because they are running straight down the line. At second base you could start towards third change your mind, and then trot back to 2nd when the defense should be able to tag you out.
Just think about the angle most runners have when they are going into 2nd and third their enertia usually pushes them out more so they are not running straight at second.

I don't think there is any correct answer to this question, but it's definately something I've never really thought about.

Answer 3

All major sports do what they can to prevent unnecessary injuries. Allowing runners to overrun 1st base probably saves about 10 to 15 runners from sliding per game. Plus, runners run straight to 1st base when they hit an infield grounder, but sometimes run at angle to 2nd and 3rd. Allowing runners to overrun 2nd and 3rd would create a big problem for umpires. Imagine if a player was going for a triple, and then decided to stop after he rounded 2nd base and then was tagged out. How would the umpire know if the runner merely overran 2nd base, or if he actually tried (initially) to make it to 3rd base???

Answer 4

First you are only allowed to overrun first long as you don't turn toward 2nd base, and as for the not allowed to overrun 2nd and 3rd, it's mostly 2 reasons. 1, you automatically have to turn torward the other base if you overrun and 2nd you are actually supposed to slide into those bases as it is a rule that the umpire can call you out for not sliding into 2nd or 3rd, though they never do it.

Answer 5

You can overrun first base just as long as you dont turn to go to second.You cannot overrun second or third.If you do, the defensive player at either base could tag you out

Answer 6

Why does the N.L. use the pitcher to hit and why does the A.L. use the DH?

I guess these are answers we will never know.

Answer 7

I think it's because that's the hardest run base, so they let you over run it to avoid the throw.

Answer 8

probably for both of the reasons you stated. i don't know the reasons, but the ones you gave sound good to me.