Basepath Call

Question
Situation:  I was the base umpire on a 2 man crew.  One out with a runner on first.  Modified league rules allow for the batter and runner to not have to touch the bases on a home run hit over the fence.

The batter hit a fly ball that appeared to be heading over the fence.  The runner started towards second when the ball was hit and when he thought the ball was going over the fence, turned his path towards his dugout, clearly going outside the 3 foot base path.  The fielder caught the ball over the fence and brought the ball back into the field of play.  The runner (now near the pitcher's mound) headed back to first to avoid being forced.

Question:  Is the base runner out for going outside the base path?

FYI:  I called him out (no protest from the player or team), but my partner informed me after the game the runner was allowed to take the path he did.

Answer
Hi Chuck,

the good thing is you'll never make that call again......there is no "basepath" unless a defensive player is attempting a tag on a runner and then the 3' rule applies.

In running the bases a runner not being played on can take almost any path they want to.  This runner didn't violate any rule and a protest could have been made.

Mark