running out of base path

Question
recently in a little league game my grandson, a first base man was involved in getting a runner in the "hot box" between 1st and 2nd, the runner trying to avoid the tag ran an eliptical pattern going almost to the outfield grass and inward to the edge of the infield grass--a total variance of about 15 feet-- during about 4 throw exchanges the base runner on third scored before the runner was tagged out-- after the inning the base ump said the runner "coild run touch the centerfield fence if he wanted--
Having played a lot of baseball I know the ump was wrong-- My
question is- If the runner was called out because he ran out of the base path should the runner on third be sent back to third?
               Eddie Wilder

Answer
Eddie,

First off, the umpire was wrong. Once the runner goes more than 3 feet away from the baseline to avoid a tag, he is immediately out. The baseline is established when a play is being made on him. Therefore, he could run to the outfield, but when the defense begins to attempt a play on him, he must run a direct line between where he is and the base he's running toward.

Secondly, the ball is still alive, so any advancement by a runner is legal.

I must state that these are generic rules for baseball, and may be different for Little League rules.