Look back/potential trick play question

[smddad]

I want to know the answer also. Runner is on 1st and standing on the bag never leaving. Batter strikes out, defense goes to circle for high 5's, can the runner legally leave the bag to advance to 2nd?

If the pitcher has control of the ball in the circle, your answer is no.

 

[Sliced Bread]

What constitutes control?
Does the pitcher cease to be an infielder once she recieves the ball, or does control mean that the ball has to come down to her hip. If the pitcher receives the ball and takes it from her glove to her throwing hand and raises the ball to shoulder height, to show the ball or fake a movement toward the runner, does this now not make the play live again negating the look back rule?

 

[Comp]

For asa control is defined as the ball in the hand or the glove. If the pitcher is in possession of the ball (most other rule sets) and control for asa the look back rule is in effect. It doesn't matter if the entire team goes into the circle runners cannot leave the base they are on.

 

[SoCal_Dad]

What constitutes control?
Does the pitcher cease to be an infielder once she recieves the ball, or does control mean that the ball has to come down to her hip. If the pitcher receives the ball and takes it from her glove to her throwing hand and raises the ball to shoulder height, to show the ball or fake a movement toward the runner, does this now not make the play live again negating the look back rule?

Merely showing the ball might not, but a fake movement would temporarily suspend LBR. The umpire can judge any movement that causes the runner to react a "play" that suspends LBR.

 

[MTR]

Go back and read the original post. It said that there was a runner or runners on base and the batter strikes out. It didn't say that the runner(s) always stood on the base and never left it. So yes, there is a potential for a runner to be off with the pitch, have a strike out, huddle in the circle as the rule goes into effect and have the runner take off (assuming she didn't go back to the base). That's perfectly legal. I am not mudding any waters.

Just the fact that you bring the a defender's position, other than the pitcher with possession of the ball in the circle, into the discussion muddies the waters.

 

[Umpire]

Just the fact that you bring the a defender's position, other than the pitcher with possession of the ball in the circle, into the discussion muddies the waters.

Wrong again. At no time did I say that another defender had the ball in the circle. Go back and read what I wrote. Then comprehend what I wrote. Then, if you want to comment on it, feel free.

We don't have to agree on all matters, but it is irresponsible of you to misinterpret what I write and turn it around so that it is inaccurate. Don't attribute your poor reading and comprehension skills to what you interpret as my lack of rules knowledge.

 

[MTR]

Wrong again. At no time did I say that another defender had the ball in the circle. Go back and read what I wrote. Then comprehend what I wrote. Then, if you want to comment on it, feel free.

Read it yourself. At no point did I mention anyone other than the pitcher having the ball.

You stated:

The issue isn't the number of players who go into the circle to slap hands. The issue is whether you have another defender to cover 2nd base should the runner legally try to advance. For instance, have the center fielder jog in toward 2nd base. This is actually an effective defensive play. If she runs, you have a good chance she will violate the LBR or you can execute an out if she doesn't.

See the highlighted portion? That is irrelevant to ANY play involving the LBR. The ONLY defender that has any status as to the effect of the LBR is the pitcher and pitcher only I don't care if you have 2 defenders covering every base, if the LBR is in effect, it is applicable should a runner violate it no matter where any other defender may be standing.

We don't have to agree on all matters, but it is irresponsible of you to misinterpret what I write and turn it around so that it is inaccurate. Don't attribute your poor reading and comprehension skills to what you interpret as my lack of rules knowledge.

I didn't turn anything around, there it is, just as you presented it. To me, even suggesting that anything other than the rule and play being discussed muddies the waters and can cause more confusion than not giving an answer.

 

[ConorMacleod]

Another LBR scenario:

No runners on, no out.

Batter walks. Catcher throws ball back to pitcher while batter/runner jogs to first. Pitcher now has ball in her glove, in the circle.

Batter/runner rounds first base and runs about 5 feet towards 2nd base, stops, and immediately returns to first base. Pitcher doesn't look toward first base, and doesn't even know what is happening with the walked batter.

Umpire calls batter/runner out, stating; "once she rounded first base she MUST continue running to 2nd base or she is out".

Umpire did not declare this a LBR, merely repeating that the player must run to second once she rounded first toward second base. The score was out of hand (my team losing), so I didn't argue much after he explained his ruling. But I did state to him that I believed he was talking about the LBR, which I believe states the runner must either immediately proceed to one base or the other, which my player did. She therefore should not be out.

Please don't ask why my player even rounded first and moved toward second base, or why my first base coach might have told her to do so. 12U 'C' level. Sometimes goofy things happen.

 

[Comp]

Umpire calls batter/runner out, stating; "once she rounded first base she MUST continue running to 2nd base or she is out".

Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. Did I mention, wrong?

 

[BretMan]

By the way, did anyone mention that this was wrong?

But it's a ruling I hear about being made at least a couple of times every year. It's just one of those gross misinterpretations of the Look Back Rule, from people that don't understand the rule, that won't go away.