Taking second on a walk

Ok I am hoping someone can explain this to me because I'm pretty confused. My 12u DD is playing her first year of competitive ball. What has happened often in games especially with a runner on third is that after a walk the batter will keep going past first on to second. Initially I thought the rule was if the pitcher had the ball in the circle before the runner got to first they had to stop, but apparently that is not the case. So my questions are:

1. What exactly is the the rule for advancing past first on a walk? (USSSA rules)
2. As I mentioned this normally happens with a runner on third so they are hoping to bait a throw to second. Can the pitcher fake a throw to second hoping to catch the runner on third?
3. What is the best way to defend this?

Thanks for your help, just trying to learn.

This has been covered countless times over the years. The pitcher having the ball in the circle does not magically stop playing action, it simply activates the lookback rule, which also does not magically stop playing action. The lookback rule simply puts restrictions on what the runner may do, but it does not stop them from legally advancing.

On a walk, if the pitcher has the ball in the circle the lookback rule activates once the batter/runner reaches first. As long as the batter/runner does not stop on the base, they can round, stop and immediately either continue to advance or return to first. However, once the lookback rule is in effect, the runner at third must either return to 3rd or advance home. This is assuming the pitcher makes no attempt to play on either runner, if they do the lookback rule is not in effect until the pitcher is not attempting to make a play.

The best defense for it is to have the pitcher at the back of the circle closest to 2nd. Let the batter/runner pass 2nd with no attempt to play on them as this will activate the lookback rule and the runner on 3rd must either return to 3rd or advance immediately. A defensive player needs to be at 2nd waiting for the throw from pitcher. As soon as the runner at 3rd makes their commitment back to 3rd, play on the batter/runner going to 2nd and be ready for the runner at 3rd to break for home. When practiced well it becomes routine to get both players out. The attempt by the offense to advance on to 2nd on a walk usually stops at good 12 and 14 ball as it doesnt work against teams that know how to defend it.

What is the

If the girl goes to 1B and rounds straight to 2B, that's legal. We do it all the time w/ inexperienced teams with a runner on 3B. A heads up pitcher can often prevent it just by keeping an eye on both of them. Our coach wants to try catcher to pitcher after ball 4, pitcher to 2B (in position, not at the bag). 2B holds the runner while keeping a close eye on the 3B runner. It's not a hard throw to 3B from 2B standing up towards the circle, so if the runner at 3B tries to go, she can fire it home. Maybe then batter goes to 2B but that was what was going to happen anyway. Then once the batter stops on 1B, 2B throws back to pitcher and nobody can go.

Comp said:

As soon as the runner at 3rd makes their commitment back to 3rd

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What I have seen some really good teams do, even at the older levels, is creep towards home instead of committing back to third. As the other runner is running at full speed to second it's almost impossible to defend unless prepared. If you make the play at 2B the runner on 3B has a walking lead towards home.

Your best bet is to let the runner on 3B get halfway home and induce a pickle situation. The other runner gets at least 2B and probably 3B if you do the pickle wrong.

Unless you are prepared to give up runners at 2B and 3B every time a good team can manipulate the look back indefinitely until they get runners on 2B and 3B or you get the runner on 3B out.

Let the runner at 3rd creep toward home, if the offense is willing to give up that runner on 3rd it should be a simple play for a well prepared team. All the pitcher has to do is wait for the runner on 3rd to get into no mans land and then physically move toward the runner cutting them off and forcing them to move one direction or the other. It is then a very short throw and should be an easy tag play. Around here you very seldom ever see a runner attempt to advance on a walk past 14's, it simply doesnt work anymore against good teams.

Keep in mind that the pitcher must not bring their hands up to a throwing position as that is deemed a play, and the look back rule is no longer in effect. The pitcher needs to be disciplined and stand at the back of the circle and let the play develop. Often this will result in R1 at 3B stopping to watch the play and getting themselves out. Hopefully the base umpire is actually watching R1.

I know a coach that taught his catcher to throw the ball to the 1st baseman on ball 4. By the time the batter got the first, the 1B already had the ball and made it much tougher to advance

Hawkeyes said:

I know a coach that taught his catcher to throw the ball to the 1st baseman on ball 4. By the time the batter got the first, the 1B already had the ball and made it much tougher to advance

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If there is a runner on 3B this is pointless.

GunnerShotgun said:

If there is a runner on 3B this is pointless.

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Why is it pointless with a runner on 3rd?

Hawkeyes said:

Why is it pointless with a runner on 3rd?

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May be even worse. Runner at 3B is free to come off bag and camp out, as soon as 1B throws to P runner at 1st breaks to 2B. What have you accomplished other than adding an additional opportunity for an error. Not to mention that in most rule sets the catcher must return the ball back to pitcher unless making a play on a runner. Since the runner has not reached 1B there is no play.

Might make more sense to do a pick off attempt back to 3B holding R2 and then a quick throw to P at back of circle. R2 is now stuck at bag and R1 is on their own.