Good umps don't, especially if they know that's what you're trying to do.You've got it right, but that's a lot going on for a two man crew. My money says most miss that.
Yes and yes!! You are correct in your assertion that the LBR comes into effect once the batter/runner becomes a runner (when reaching first). I know a lot of my fellow umps screw this up. The runner at third should be called out immediately unless the pitcher is making or simulating a play at third. Here's the million-dollar question for you: what if the plate umpire calls the runner out at third, what happens to the runner at second if she's off the bag and clearly violating the LBR? The answer is nothing. You can only have one LBR violation on one play. I had to edit this because my post wasn't clear. You can only have one violation per play on the LBR because once you call it, the ball becomes dead and all other runners must return to their base.Runner on third, batter walks. Catcher throws ball back to pitcher as batter runs to first. Once runner touches first, LBR in effect; BR continues to second. Pitcher holds the ball, staring at runner on third, not making any motion or attempt. While BR is running to second, runner on third remains stopped a few feet off third base (presumably waiting for pitcher to throw to second so she can run home). Does the LBR apply to runner on third while BR is running to second? Should she be immediately ruled out when she doesn't immediately go back to third or advance to home?
Good umps don't, especially if they know that's what you're trying to do.
We used to defend it that way. We'd have our pitcher turn her back to the runner at third. They would usually start edging off and then stand waiting to go on the throw. If they didn't we'd snap throw to 2nd when the BR was between 5-10 feet. The hope is to get the out and hold the runner. If the runner on 3 is at a dead stop on the base at the time of the throw, it's an easy catch, tag, and look to wheel home.
If we had umps who were unfamiliar to us we'd tell them this strategy prior to the game so they'd look for it.
And remember, runner at three has to go back, it doesn’t say she has to hurry, lol
Agree with Strike3, does get missed a lot!
And remember, runner at three has to go back, it doesn’t say she has to hurry, lol
Thats obnoxious and could be considered unsportsmanlike and trying to show up an umpire resulting in a warning and or an ejection. I have never seen anything like that in high level softball and would suggest players leave umpiring to the umpires
Not really much you can do. Other then talking calmly like an adult and not yelling and screaming to try to get your point across. But after that, you can only do things about things you can control. Just have to move on and think about the next pitch to call.Unfortunately not all umpires know the rule. I had a field umpire screw this up in a HS regional final game. Our base runner was called out when the pitcher raised her arm to make an attempt. He said the pitcher was in the circle and the runner is out. Completely wrong, but when both umps get together and call her out what do you do? W won 1-0, but talk about a hose job in a huge game! My biggest complaint overall with umpires is consistency in many different aspects of the game. This LBR gets messed up all the time. As a coach, how do you handle it?