When does a runner have to return to the base?

[Supertech]

Had a situation in a middle school game, playing by high school rules, that once the pitcher receives the ball in the circle that all runners have to be on the bag. The pitcher and 3rd base runner were playing the stare down game while the pitcher was on her way to the circle and as soon as she stepped into the circle, the runner was called out by the umpire for not being on the bag. I contend that since once the pitcher gets into the circle then the runner needs to go back. Is the umpire correct?

 

[Hilliarddad3]

From Old post under Look Back Rule,,,,,,,,,they key word is motion, a flinch, a shoulder arm up??

"The look back rule is not in effect until batter/runner reaches first base. At this point if the pitcher makes no motion or intent to make a play toward 2nd or runner at third, then runner at third, if off the base should be called out while the runner going to second has every right to do so if they never stopped at first base."

 

[Comp]

The rule does not require the runner to be on the base at the instant the pitcher enters the circle with the ball. The lookback rule comes into play when the pitcher with the ball is inside the circle, and when that happens any runner off base must make a decision to either advance or return to the previous base. If they do not and just stand there, then they would be out. Based on your description of the play, the runner should have been given a very brief moment to choose to advance or return after the pitcher stepped into the circle, it is not an immediate out for not being on the base.

 

[daboss]

Comp is right but the runner better be ready to do something pretty quick or most umps will ring them up!

 

[Supertech]

Comp that is what i thought but the umpire seemed to be of the opinion that it had to be immediate. It was awfully strange that later in the game it was not called the same way. Just another day at the ball park !!!!!! LOL

 

[BretMan2]

Unfortunately, the lower level games usually get the least experienced umpires (everybody has to start somewhere). Are you one of the coaches? If so, you could always contact the umpire assigner and let him know how this was being called. It just might lead to a little bit of education for the umpire who doesn't understand the rule.

 

[gcg3refs]

As BretMan2 stated, younger officials usually are working the younger games, the rule basically is "One-one thousand" and the runner is not moving one way or the other, the runner is to be called out.