need education on look back rule

[fastpitchdad8]

The way that it almost happened for me (described in earlier post):

There was a runner on third. Batter walked. Batter-runner rounded first base and stopped. Batter-runner then immediately headed for second base.
.

I thought that on a base on balls, if you stop at 1st or round 1st and stop that you can't continue to 2nd...no?

 

[MTR]

I thought that on a base on balls, if you stop at 1st or round 1st and stop that you can't continue to 2nd...no?

Anytime the batter-runner/runner stops on a base and the LBR is in effect, leaving the base shall be cause for the umpire to rule the runner out.

A base on balls is treated no differently than a fair batted ball.

 

[fastpitchdad8]

Anytime the batter-runner/runner stops on a base and the LBR is in effect, leaving the base shall be cause for the umpire to rule the runner out.

A base on balls is treated no differently than a fair batted ball.

thanks for the response. excuse my ignorance but, what if the runner on a BB rounds 1st, stops, then continues to 2nd with the ball in the circle?

 

[Comp]

The ball being in the circle does not stop playing action. It is perfectly legal for a batter/runner on a base and balls to round the bag, stop and either return to 1st or continue on to 2nd.

 

[MTR]

thanks for the response. excuse my ignorance but, what if the runner on a BB rounds 1st, stops, then continues to 2nd with the ball in the circle?

What would happen if it were a fair batted ball instead of a walk?

 

[coach james]

Everything hinges on whether the pitcher has the ball INSIDE the circle or not. If she has the ball in the circle, the base runner either continues to advance WITHOUT STOPPING, or has to return to the previous bag. If the runner stops or reverses direction in anyway, the runner MUST return to previous bag. If they stop or reverse direction and then decide to try to advance, this is called a waffle and runner is out. However, if the pitcher does not have the ball or is not inside the circle, runners can continue to try to advance in any way they see fit. So in short, ALWAYS check a runner back to the previous bag and immediately get the pitcher the ball inside the circle. Be aware of a delayed steal. My girls will pause on occasion, and as soon as the ball is thrown to the pitcher, the runner will go to the next bag trying to catch the defence sleeping. But we usually only do that with one out or less and preferably with a runner on three.

 

[honus14]

If she has the ball in the circle, the base runner either continues to advance WITHOUT STOPPING, or has to return to the previous bag. If the runner stops or reverses direction in anyway, the runner MUST return to previous bag. If they stop or reverse direction and then decide to try to advance, this is called a waffle and runner is out.

Incorrect (at least for ASA and NFHS). Here's the ASA rule (as others have said in this thread):

When a runner is legitimately off a base after a pitch or as a result of a batter completing a turn at bat, and while the pitcher has control of the ball within an eight foot (2.44m) radius of the pitcher's plate, the runner may stop once, but then must immediately return to the base or attempt to advance to the next base.

 

[Comp]

WITHOUT STOPPING, or has to return to the previous bag. If the runner stops or reverses direction in anyway, the runner MUST return to previous bag

Wrong answer.

 

[MTR]

Everything hinges on whether the pitcher has the ball INSIDE the circle or not. If she has the ball in the circle, the base runner either continues to advance WITHOUT STOPPING, or has to return to the previous bag. If the runner stops or reverses direction in anyway, the runner MUST return to previous bag.

As noted, not so.

If they stop or reverse direction and then decide to try to advance, this is called a waffle and runner is out.

Reverse, yes; stop, no.

However, if the pitcher does not have the ball or is not inside the circle, runners can continue to try to advance in any way they see fit. So in short, ALWAYS check a runner back to the previous bag and immediately get the pitcher the ball inside the circle. Be aware of a delayed steal. My girls will pause on occasion, and as soon as the ball is thrown to the pitcher, the runner will go to the next bag trying to catch the defence sleeping. But we usually only do that with one out or less and preferably with a runner on three.

Forget the runner unless she is still moving. Best plan for anyone in the infield, including the catcher is to get the ball to the pitcher in the circle. The pitch is the lone defender who is closer to all the bases and can certainly make a play, if necessary. Getting the ball back to the pitcher limits the actions a runner can take. Checking a runner by anyone allows the runner to play games with the defense all day long and there isn't a think the D can do about it other than get the ball back to the pitcher, quickly.

 

[sluggers]

The "look back" rule is one of those rules that is irrelevant to well-trained teams. It is a non-issue. The only teams that have problems with the look back rule are poorly trained.

The proper way to defend teams taking advantage of the look back rule:

(1) the pitcher takes the throw back from the catcher already in a position to throw the ball. The pitcher is sideways, facing either 1B or 3B, depending upon the situation. After receiving the ball, the pitcher walks back to the mound keeping an eye on the runner until the runner returns to the bag.
(2) The defenders are covering the bags, with the outfielders in appropriate back up positions.
(3) If the runner is too far off the bag, the pitcher jogs *AT THE RUNNER* showing the ball to the fielders at the bases on opposite sides of the runner. She continues running toward the runner until the runner commits to one base or the other, at which time the pitcher throws the ball to the appropriate bag.

After your team learns the proper defense, it is an easy out.