Protection after a walk

[ecflyguy]

I was in a conversation with an umpire recently and we were discussing the often debated look back rule when a runner rounds first base after a walk and all of the diffferent scenarios that get misinterpreted. He then told me something that I was completely unaware of.

He said that after a walk, the batter-runner is only protected through first base. Obviously, if the batter-runner makes an attempt towards second base then she is liable to be put out. I said "OK, but duh."

However:

He then said that the batter-runner does not even need to "make an attempt towards 2nd" to be liable to be put out after a walk. If she simply passes through 1st base, then she may be put out at that point. This was news to me. I've always assumed there was protection past first base as long as there was not an attempt made to advance. (just like your normal ground ball play where the batter-runner is allowed to run through first.) I realize that a walk is not a dead ball situation like many assume that it is so what he is saying actually makes some sense.

Does anyone have clarification on this? I have never seen this called; further, I've never seen a coach try to make a play on a runner in this situation.

 

[MTR]

He then said that the batter-runner does not even need to "make an attempt towards 2nd" to be liable to be put out after a walk. If she simply passes through 1st base, then she may be put out at that point. This was news to me. I've always assumed there was protection past first base as long as there was not an attempt made to advance. (just like your normal ground ball play where the batter-runner is allowed to run through first.) I realize that a walk is not a dead ball situation like many assume that it is so what he is saying actually makes some sense.

Does anyone have clarification on this? I have never seen this called; further, I've never seen a coach try to make a play on a runner in this situation.

Rubbish. A walk is handled that same as a batted ball as it pertains to the BR and subsequent runner status in ALL softball rule sets of which I am aware. Your "friend" may want to consider reading the rule book or find something else to do. In ASA it is 8.8.I

 

[CoogansBluff]

I wonder if the umpire is simply saying that the batter/runner is still subject to the look-back rule no matter if she rounds first or runs through first.

 

[BretMan]

The only "ball-type game" that says a batter-runner may be tagged out after over running first base on a walk is high school baseball. It's a dumb rule on their part and unique to their game. Maybe that's the source of confusion for this umpire?

For all other baseball and softball rule sets...batter-runners may over run first base without liability to be put out, so long as they return directly to first base.

 

[JAD]

As the 1B coach I always point to the bag and tell my girls "on the bag" when they are headed down to 1B after a walk. In 10U and 12U we would occasionally send a runner to 2B after a walk if the base was open and a runner on 3B, but not so much at 14U.

 

[grounder]

The only "ball-type game" that says a batter-runner may be tagged out after over running first base on a walk is high school baseball. It's a dumb rule on their part and unique to their game. Maybe that's the source of confusion for this umpire?

For all other baseball and softball rule sets...batter-runners may over run first base without liability to be put out, so long as they return directly to first base.

i believe they dont have to return directly to first base. they have the option of advancing to second base as long as they dont move towards first base first. once they make a move back to first base, they can not change their mind and then move towards second base.

 

[Comp]

i believe they dont have to return directly to first base. they have the option of advancing to second base as long as they dont move towards first base first. once they make a move back to first base, they can not change their mind and then move towards second base.

Except for NCAA, as long as the batter/runner stays within I think it is 3' of the baseline while returning to 1st base, the runner may attempt to advance to 2nd prior to retouching 1st base.

 

[CoachKevin]

Explain what would be the reasoning behind over-running 1B on a walk? I can understand rounding but running through the bag?

 

[BretMan]

i believe they dont have to return directly to first base. they have the option of advancing to second base as long as they dont move towards first base first. once they make a move back to first base, they can not change their mind and then move towards second base.

You're right, but that isn't the point I was addressing.

I didn't say "batter-runners must always return directly to first base after over running". I said that "if they return directly to first, then they are not at liability to be put out".

My post was for a different situation that you're commenting on, directly related to the first post in the thread.

 

[MTR]

Explain what would be the reasoning behind over-running 1B on a walk? I can understand rounding but running through the bag?

The rule applies to the batter-runner becoming a runner regardless of how the player became a batter-runner. And when was the last time you saw a runner "walk" to 1B? In many cases, the player runs if for no other reason than be prepared to advance should there be a mishandling of the ball and/or make sure the BR is in the defense's mind.