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With no outs, and a runner on 2B, batter hits line drive down right field line, which lands foul. The runner rounds third before slowing up. The third base coach says something to her, so she pauses. And then she bends down to adjust her shoe. Then she very casually walks back to 2B. In the meantime, the ball gets returned to the pitcher, in the circle. The runner gets back to the base, then steps off the back of the base to again adjust her show. The umpire calls her out for being off the base (look-back). The head coach comes out to argue, but the umpire cuts him off and declares that the ball is in the circle, so she is out. Due to a previous run in with this same umpire, the Head Coach does not push it, and accepts the out.
The ball was in the circle. No doubt about that. But a quick rule book check shows that the look-back rule is not in effect unless the ball is live. Sentence number one of the rule clearly states this. The pitcher was not on the rubber, and was nowhere near ready to pitch. So the home plate ump could not have given the pitcher the "play ball" signal, to make play live again.
So I believe this was a botched call. Maybe the ump is inexperienced, and does not understand that the ball must be live? But it sure felt personal. The runner was being casual and maybe she rubbed the ump the wrong way. And with the prior run in with that team, it just makes it feel like the ump was sending a message. But still, a look-back violation, after a foul ball, while the girl is adjusting her shoe, c?mon?..
The ball was in the circle. No doubt about that. But a quick rule book check shows that the look-back rule is not in effect unless the ball is live. Sentence number one of the rule clearly states this. The pitcher was not on the rubber, and was nowhere near ready to pitch. So the home plate ump could not have given the pitcher the "play ball" signal, to make play live again.
So I believe this was a botched call. Maybe the ump is inexperienced, and does not understand that the ball must be live? But it sure felt personal. The runner was being casual and maybe she rubbed the ump the wrong way. And with the prior run in with that team, it just makes it feel like the ump was sending a message. But still, a look-back violation, after a foul ball, while the girl is adjusting her shoe, c?mon?..