Premature Walks and Advancing Runners

Happened over the weekend (18U ASA National Qualifier)...1 out, runners on 1 and 2. Batter takes a ball to make the count 2-2, and then proceeds to run to 1 thinking it was a walk (seriously thought it was a walk). Both runners trot to the next base. Ump says nothing. Defensive team does not react, so either they also thought it was a walk or were confused. Defensive coach starts yelling "that's only ball 2!" Umps look at each other and agree that it was only ball 2, so the batter heads back to the box. Our runners start to go back to their original bases and we yell for them to stay where they are, as in our minds they essentially advanced due to defensive indifference (they only took one step and got back before any play could be made on them). Umps agree, so now we have runners on 2 and 3.

Anything funky in any of that? Any interpretation that could result in a different outcome? If the umps thought our runner was purposely trying to confuse the defense in order to advance runners (believe me, she was not), could the umps have sent the runner back to their original bases?

If in umpires opions it was done intentionally they can send runners back and I think call batter out but not sure about that part.

Sounds like umpires did right thing, defense needs to know what is going on.

(Game Saturday we were on offense and the defense started leaving field after 2 outs, our coach is yelling that is only 2 outs. There went 2 free runs. )

The defense is responsible for knowing the situation and playing appropriately. When the batter started to move toward first the umpire should have announced loudly the count and then it is on the defense to play on the stealing runners. As long as the umpire did not give the wrong count, the advance of the runners was legal and the batter would be brought back to bat. Now, my question is, where was the ball when the batter came back to bat and the runners left their bases to head back? If the ball was in the circle with the pitcher you have a lookback violation.

That being said, several years ago there was a statement in the plays and clarifications sent out by USA softball about game management. Personally I read it as more or less a personal opinion article about game management because much of what was said in it is not based in any rules. The article said in the name of game management and to stop any confusion the umpire should call time when such a situation happens and return the runners to their bases and the batter to bat. The article was widely criticized when it was released as it had no basis in any published rule or ruling. There are case plays and clarifications regarding other similar situations requiring both the defense and the offense to be aware of the situation and make the appropriate play. Not to mention, umpires are not suppose to call time during live playing action when the ball is not back in the circle. It would be a long conversation trying to explain to a defensive coach who's team recognized the situation, made the correct play and put out a stealing runner why you called time and denying them the out they just made.

If in the umpires opinion the batter did it intentionally is there any penalty?

Comp said:

Now, my question is, where was the ball when the batter came back to bat and the runners left their bases to head back? If the ball was in the circle with the pitcher you have a lookback violation.

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Good question. Best that I can recall, when the defensive coach started yelling that was only Ball 2, there was general confusion by the fielders and I believe the pitcher walked out of the circle to make a throw to another fielder.

quincy said:

If in the umpires opinion the batter did it intentionally is there any penalty?

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You can warn the coach about unsportsmanlike conduct if you think it was done intentionally but doesn't change the fact the defense should know the count and make an appropriate play. Nothing in the rules allow for calling the batter out, if they aren't back in the batters box in 10 seconds you can call a strike but that's about it.