Running outside the baseline

Question
What is the rule regarding when an out is called for running outside the baseline. My daughter played in an 8u fastpitch tourney this weekend, and one of the girls on her team started to run on a popfly that was caught and had to return to 1st base. She made it back to base but was called out for running outside the baseline trying to escape the defensive player with the ball on her return to 1st. The umpire said something about a 2 ft. rule.

Later in the game the opposing team had a runner go from 1st to 2nd. Our 2nd baseman had the ball and was trying to tag the runner who swerved around, made it to 2nd and was called safe. We all thought she should have been out. How far off can you run outside the line before they will make this call?

Also, why do some tourneys have 2 umpires and some only have one? Is there a requirement for this somewhere, or do the organizers of the tourney decide this?

Answer
Hi Leslie,

The basepath is a direct line between the base and the runner's position at the time a defensive player is attempting to tag (or about to attempt to tag) a runner.  

A runner has 3' on either side of the basepath.  It applies to all bases.  So if in the umpire's judgement she violated the 3' she would be out for being out of the basepath.

It depends on whose running the tournament, some have 4, 3, 2 or 1.

Mark