Legally Acquiring/Returning bases

[treydawgmt]

FED rules tonight.  R1, outs not important.  On the pitch R1 takes off for second.  Batter foul tips the ball, I signal as such.  Runner I think touches second and then trots back to first.  Catcher throws back to pitcher, coaches both seem dumbfounded, but game goes on.

 

Under OBR (thanks to Cubs/Brewers I think) 7.01 comment specifically mentions "If a runner legally acquires title to a base, and the pitcher assumes his pitching position, the runner may not return to a previously occupied base."  Fed I don't think specifically addresses this.  (If I does I don't have access to my rule book for another 36 hours.)  Since the pitcher had not assumed his pitching position when the runner returned to 1st base, I went with he's allowed to return, just was wondering everyone's thoughts.

[Rich Ives]

I've heard of this happening a lot in youth ball but a FED game would be middle school or higher and they should know better by then.

[BuckeyeMike]

"foul tips the ball".....took me a couple times to pick up on the problem here....but then, i've been drinkin....

 

I would say he's subject to being "OUT" upon appeal.  If nobody appeals, then play on.

[maven]

The BRD (2008: §432) recommends treating FED and NCAA as OBR, which specifies no penalty for this infraction. Fitzpatrick dictates warning before calling out; Evans and JR specify calling the runner out, but it's clear from all interps that they envision the runner leaving AFTER F1 takes his position on the rubber.

 

In your play, it sounds as if the runner is heading back while the ball is still being thrown back. That's nothing: as long as he has left the base prior to F1 taking his position on the rubber, there is no infraction.

[UmpJM]

treydawg,

 

Returning to the previous base in your sitch is perfectly legal (and incredibly stupid) in all codes.

 

JM

[treydawgmt]

I thought it was legal, just wanted to double check and I don't have my rule book. It is INCREDIBLY stupid, which is probably why I've never seen it.<br /><br />Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2<br /><br />

[Rich Ives]

Given that 37.62% (may be higher where you live) of youth league participants think a foul tip is a foul ball I'd rather have it referred to as "uninformed"