Baserunning, Beating out an infield single

[Guest Dave S Chesterfield MO]

Playing 9U kid-pitch, governed by MLB rules. Making the turn in toward the field or turn out away from the field (toward the 1B foul territory)

On an infield single, After the player reaches 1B running straight down the line & breaks down his steps to a stop, I teach that I want the player to turn in toward the field instead of toward foul territory.

Question 1: Is he in jeopardy of being tagged out if he turns in toward the field without taking any steps toward 2B (other than maybe the 1st step when he turns to his left as he returns back to 1B)?

Question 2: As he turns to his left to return to 1B, how many steps (if any) can he take without being in jeopardy of being tagged out?

[Tborze]

1 hour ago, Guest Dave S Chesterfield MO said:

Playing 9U kid-pitch, governed by MLB rules. Making the turn in toward the field or turn out away from the field (toward the 1B foul territory)

On an infield single, After the player reaches 1B running straight down the line & breaks down his steps to a stop, I teach that I want the player to turn in toward the field instead of toward foul territory.

Question 1: Is he in jeopardy of being tagged out if he turns in toward the field without taking any steps toward 2B (other than maybe the 1st step when he turns to his left as he returns back to 1B)?

Question 2: As he turns to his left to return to 1B, how many steps (if any) can he take without being in jeopardy of being tagged out?

We judge whether or not an “attempt “ was made to advance.  A 1/2 step could be considered an attempt. 

 I would think running through the base and pivoting on the left foot toward foul territory while locating the ball and base coach is more fundamentally sound, especially at this level. 
 

JMO
 

[noumpere]

There are some (too many) coaches and umpires who mistakenly think any turn to the left (i.e., toward fair territory) places the runner in jeopardy of being tagged out.

While you are right (imo) to teach the runner to turn to the let, you will be called for some undeserved outs if your runners turn that way.

[BLWizzRanger]

FWIW, there is some notion that teaching runners to turn/look right after touching the base and spinning that same direction allows the runner to make a straight line towards second if needs be.

Looking right and going left makes the runner take a longer arc to second. Looking right/spinning right places the runner's center of gravity in a more suited location to make the move.



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[Velho]

1 hour ago, BLWizzRanger said:

FWIW, there is some notion that teaching runners to turn/look right after touching the base and spinning that same direction allows the runner to make a straight line towards second if needs be.

Looking right and going left makes the runner take a longer arc to second. Looking right/spinning right places the runner's center of gravity in a more suited location to make the move.

Seconding the looking back to the right (into foul territory) is the move since that's where the ball is most likely to be from overthrow or misplay on INF hit.

[Rich Ives]

4 minutes ago, Velho said:

Seconding the looking back to the right (into foul territory) is the move since that's where the ball is most likely to be from overthrow or misplay on INF hit.

Thirding this,

[The Man in Blue]

On 1/8/2023 at 11:44 AM, Tborze said:

We judge whether or not an “attempt “ was made to advance.  A 1/2 step could be considered an attempt. 

 I would think running through the base and pivoting on the left foot toward foul territory while locating the ball and base coach is more fundamentally sound, especially at this level. 
 

JMO
 

 

I would say an overzealous juke without any steps even being taken could be considered an attempt.  (Not saying I advise it.)

[Aging_Arbiter]

You always have the option to protest.........

[Lou B]

After time is granted, Blue: why did you call my runner out?

Answer 1) in my judgement he made an attempt towards second.  No Protest allowed on a judgement call.

Answer 2) after he passed first he turned to his left.  Protest the misapplication of the rule.

[Aging_Arbiter]

9 minutes ago, Lou B said:

After time is granted, Blue: why did you call my runner out?

Answer 1) in my judgement he made an attempt towards second.  No Protest allowed on a judgement call.

Answer 2) after he passed first he turned to his left.  Protest the misapplication of the rule.

Understood.  OP inferred REACHING 1B and turning to the left.............  Calling an out for that would be subject to protest as it is wrong.  

[beerguy55]

On 1/19/2023 at 6:29 PM, Aging_Arbiter said:

Understood.  OP inferred REACHING 1B and turning to the left.............  Calling an out for that would be subject to protest as it is wrong.  

Not if the ump says "in my judgment..." (at least typically speaking)...once an umpire says that J word, no matter how misguided or "wrong" their judgment is, a coach is going to lose any protest.

It can become a shield, if an umpire is so insecure as to "lose" a protest.   "Turning left is always an attempt towards second" vs "I judged he made an attempt towards second" are very different statements and will be handled differently be a protest committee.   If the umpire were to say "any time the runner turns left I consider that an attempt to second base", that would probably fall under judgment, not rule application.   He may not be following acceptable guidance, and should get some training/instruction updates, but it's still his judgment.   He has set himself a threshold/guideline to determine what is and is not an attempt...no different than using the plane of the plate as a guide to determine a swing.  As long as he doesn't indicate a belief that he has no choice in the matter, the protest will fail.