[greymule]

Speaking ASA, I'm not sure that Steve M and I agree with regard to the look-back rule.

8-7-T-3-a through e apply while the pitcher has the ball in the circle. No overrunning or turning the runner does means anything until then. Wait until the pitcher gets the ball before you concern yourself with how a runner is overrunning or turning. The BR could overrun 1B, turn right, and walk all the way back to 1B, but until F1 gets the ball, BR can run to 2B.

So in the play you describe, if the moment the pitcher got the ball in the circle, the runner who had turned right immediately ran toward 2B, she would be OK. But if she had moved in any direction except toward 2B one instant after the pitcher got the ball, she could not legally run to 2B, and your partner's out call would be correct.

For example, the batter-runner could beat out a grounder to short, overrun 1B toward RF, turn right, start walking back toward 1B, and then run on F3's throw back to F1.

On another fine point, Part 'c' is confusing. "A batter-runner who over-runs 1B toward RF, turns left and moves directly toward 2B and stops is committed to 2B and must attempt to advance non-stop to 2B."

This appears to say that a runner can take a stop but then cannot choose which way to go. I cannot think of any other play in which this situation holds. Obviously, by making a motion toward 2B, the BR has forfeited her immunity from being put out, but I don't see why, after her stop, she can't attempt to return to 1B. Perhaps ASA considers the overrun itself a stop, but in that case her stop after her move toward 2B should make her out.

I'm sure someone will provide an explanation.