The Overtaking Runner: sports rule #1

Welcome to a new section of the column: Niche Sports Rules.

Rule #1 comes from the MLB, where it is possible to hit a walk-off home run and still lose the game.

The rule reads that, in the event that a base runner passes a preceding teammate during live play, the overtaking runner will be deemed out immediately upon doing so, regardless of intent.​

Consider a base runner on first base with one out: the batter launches a high fly ball to right field that barely clears the wall. The base runner may cautiously stand by first base until the ball clears the wall, while the batter trots swiftly down the line. Perhaps admiring his prodigious blast, the batter rounds the base just as his teammate begins to advance and eclipses him momentarily. That batter is peremptorily out. His teammate may circle the bases and score, but the batter is out.​

Furthermore, the timing of the illegal pass matters. With two outs, a run scored counts ONLY IF that runner touched home PRIOR TO the infraction. Imagine runners on first and third, and the batter homers. Should the third-base runner cross the plate before the illegal pass near first base, his run counts (but that of the first base runner does not). However, if the illegal pass occurs before any runner touches home, the third out is recorded, and no runs are scored.

So yes, you can walk off with a grand slam—and still lose.