ASA Slowpitch Base Running Issue

Question
QUESTION: Good Morning,

We had a situation in a senior league that I need clarification on.  The other team had runners on 2nd and 3rd and the batter chopped the ball down to the defensive 3rd basemen.  The 3rd base runner took off to home plate and got over half way when I threw the ball to the plate (Seniors have a commit line).  The runner from 2nd base advanced to the 3rd base and was on the bag.  The runner running home panic'd and ran back to 3rd base.  They were both now on the bag.  Who had rights to the 3rd base bag as the 3rd base runner was not forced off the bag?

My brother stated that until the runner crosses home plate they have rights to the 3rd base bag and then stated that I could not tag the runner from 2nd baes that was now standing on 3rd because a base is a safe area.  By that argument until the runner going home touches home plate the runner from second could not occupy the 3rd base bag.

Can you help clarify and thank you in advancem,

Steve

ANSWER: Hi Steve,

Since this is seniors if R1 at any time crossed the 20' commitment line they cannot return to 3rd  So if R1 crossed the CL they cannot legally reoccupy 3rd and should have been called out by the umpire as soon as they recrossed the CL. There would be no need to tag R1 on 3rd. The ball would remain live until play stopped.

If they did not cross the CL, and I assume that's what happened in your play, R1 can return and legally reoccupy 3rd and is the one who has the status for that base.(in Senior play as I stated above until they cross the CL)  Tagging R2 while on 3rd base would result in them being called out as they have no legal right to the base and just being on a base means absolutely nothing re R2, it is not a "safe area" for a runner that has no legal rights to it.

Your brother would be correct for play w/ no CL that R1 in a non-force situation has the legal right to the base until they advance to another base (or are put out).  

Mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Mark,

Thank you for the response and clarification.  You did a good job explaining but there still is one unanswered piece.  If the runner is down the line towards home and the trailing runner claims 3rd base.  Can I tag him out even though the runner heading home has not crossed the plate or returned to 3rd base.  This is the primary issue has it seems to put the defender in double jeopardy.  So am I to understand that legally even though the lead runner has not come back to 3rd yet I can tag the trailing runner (standing on 3rd) out?

Once again thank you in advance,

Steve

Answer
Hi Steve,

R2 is allowed to attempt to legally advance and if they obtained 3rd base would not be in jeopardy to be put out unless R1 returns to it,  Then by rule (2 runners occupying the same base, ASA 8-3-e)the runner that 1st legally occupied the base, in this case R1, is entitled to it.

So no R2 is not liable to be put on while occupying 3rd unless R1 returns and they are both on the base.  Then the rule kicks in.

Mark