When a ground ball is overthrown by an infielder and the ball goes out of play, what is the consequence for the runner?

The correct answer indicates that when a ground ball is overthrown by an infielder and the ball goes out of play, the runner is awarded two bases from the point of the throw. This rule is in place to ensure fairness in base running. When an error occurs, such as an infielder overthrowing a ball, the base runners are given a penalty that allows them to advance safely.

By awarding two bases from the point of the throw, the rule acknowledges the moment when the defensive team made an attempt to make a play. This is crucial because it recognizes the responsibility of the defense for the error that allowed the ball to go out of play. If the ruling were based solely on where the runner was at the time of the pitch, it would not accurately reflect the dynamics of the play and would potentially penalize the runner unfairly.

Other options fail to align with standard baseball rules governing overrunning plays. For instance, returning to home base or being awarded bases from home plate would not provide a fair representation of where the runner should be after an errant throw. Moreover, the requirement to be tagged would only apply in different circumstances, such as when a runner is not on a base and is trying to advance without being safe. Therefore