Ball in circle

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Jan 14, 2015
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Do the different rule bodies, ASA USSSA, PONY, HS have different rules regarding the ball in the circle? Can any player hold the ball in the circle for the LBR to come in effect, or does the pitcher need to have the ball in the circle for LBR to apply?
 
Jan 14, 2015
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Thank you, that was my understanding, but I was overruled recently. I didn't want to make a "who's right, who's wrong argument" between two fathers in front of the team, but I will clear it up privately.
 
Aug 6, 2013
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it's really not specifically about the ball in the circle - The ball can be in the circle in the pitchers hand - and if she is making a motion as if to throw to a base with a runner on the play is live and LBR is not in effect

I believe its the act of preparing to pitch that sets the LBR.
 
Jun 11, 2013
2,619
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No, it's the pitcher having the ball in the circle. At that point the runners need to decide where to go. If the pitcher does show a throwing motion LBR is off. The purpose
of the rule is to signify that the previous play needs to finish. It doesn't mean that runners can't just keep running as some coaches think.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
it's really not specifically about the ball in the circle - The ball can be in the circle in the pitchers hand - and if she is making a motion as if to throw to a base with a runner on the play is live and LBR is not in effect

I believe its the act of preparing to pitch that sets the LBR.

It is simply possession of the ball by the pitcher in the circle and not making a play which applies the lookback rule. There are a few other requirements that go along with it concerning the batter/runner, but for the purposes of the OP possession by the pitcher is the main requirement. Now, ASA does add one more requirement of the pitcher. They require possession and control of the ball. The pitcher must have the ball in their hand or in their glove. If they put the ball under their arm, between their legs, under their chin etc etc etc they are not considered to be in control of the ball and the lookback rule would not be in effect.
 
Aug 6, 2013
303
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It is simply possession of the ball by the pitcher in the circle and not making a play which applies the lookback rule. There are a few other requirements that go along with it concerning the batter/runner, but for the purposes of the OP possession by the pitcher is the main requirement. Now, ASA does add one more requirement of the pitcher. They require possession and control of the ball. The pitcher must have the ball in their hand or in their glove. If they put the ball under their arm, between their legs, under their chin etc etc etc they are not considered to be in control of the ball and the lookback rule would not be in effect.

I think the biggest misconception is that there is some magic about the ball being in the circle that freezes the runners - and that's not true
I know a lot of REC org's use the circle to stop play - So that once the ball is in the circle everyone must return to their base - And I wanted to emphasize that is not the case in travel ball generally.
 
Nov 17, 2010
191
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No, it's the pitcher having the ball in the circle. At that point the runners need to decide where to go. If the pitcher does show a throwing motion LBR is off. The purpose
of the rule is to signify that the previous play needs to finish. It doesn't mean that runners can't just keep running as some coaches think.

The runners can keep running, correct? For instance on a walk, if the pitcher has control of the ball int the circle and the batter runner reaches first, the LBR is in effect, but the runner can continue without stopping to second (or third or home). Once the runner stops, they must immediately continue or return to a base. If they stop on a base, they must remain there. Am I missing something?
 

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