- Feb 20, 2019
- 109
- 28
I was coaching in a 10U tournament a few weeks ago and had a bizarre interpretation of the look back rule. There is a runner on 3B with no outs. Batter hits the ball to SS, SS throws ball to 1B. The ball beats the runner but pulls the 1B off the base and umpire (who is in position behind SS) calls the runner safe at 1B. The 1B coach, having missed the umpire’s call and the 1B being pulled off the base, tells the batter she’s out. The batter goes back towards home on her way to the 3rd base dugout. Catcher throws ball back to pitcher in the circle. Parents and 1B coach finally notice the field umpire still signaling the safe sign and yell at the batter to return to 1B. Batter returns to 1B and pitcher throws the ball to 1B but runner beats the throw. Meanwhile, the runner on 3B scores on the throw to 1B. Safe at home and safe at 1B.
Opposing coach goes to field umpire to argue the call. Field umpire declares runner on 1B out, due to look back rule, because pitcher was in circle and, by making throw to 1B, allowed the run to score. I argued that the 1B runner never stopped in running towards the dugout, then back to 1B, but was overruled.
Was the look back rule applied correctly in this situation?
Opposing coach goes to field umpire to argue the call. Field umpire declares runner on 1B out, due to look back rule, because pitcher was in circle and, by making throw to 1B, allowed the run to score. I argued that the 1B runner never stopped in running towards the dugout, then back to 1B, but was overruled.
Was the look back rule applied correctly in this situation?