What Ya Gonna Do?

[Mad Mike]

R1 outs don't matter. OBR rule set. R1 breaks early on the pitch to the batter. R1 arrives at second base at the time the batter fouls off the pitch.

Can the runner be allowed to stay at second? Or do we have him return because the base he last occupied at TOP was 1st when the ball was fouled off?

I seem to recall reading about this a few years ago, but I can't find the correct reference in the BRD.

Any help would be appreciated!!!

 

[Senor Azul]

From the 2014 PBUC (section 6.7—Time of Pitch):

“A runner who advances while the pitcher is in contact with the rubber is considered to occupy the base last touched at the time the pitcher initiates his actual pitching motion to the batter. The pitching motion is defined as any movement which commits the pitcher to deliver the ball to the batter.

“As long as the pitcher is not committed to pitch, a runner may advance and is considered to occupy the last base touched at the time the pitcher initiates the actual delivery to the batter.

“The preliminary motion known as the ‘stretch’ is not considered the start of the pitching motion.”

 

The answer to your question can also be found in the BRD (2016 edition) in section 431—Pitcher:  Time of Pitch: Definition: Set Position. There is a case play following that is very similar to your scenario.

[maven]

Send him back. In theory, and at some levels lower than 10U, you could have a runner reach prior to TOP, but that's no way to teach the game at those levels. Everyone else will have to return by rule.

[basejester]

10 hours ago, Mad Mike said:

 Can the runner be allowed to stay at second? Or do we have him return because the base he last occupied at TOP was 1st when the ball was fouled off?

 

Return him.