[greymule]

. . . the runner had already taken a few steps back to the base, after the ball was in the circle. To me, that is the commitment I've always looked for. If she stops again, without a play being made or faked, it's an out.

Can't go along with you there. The first stop is irrelevant since the ball wasn't in the circle. The runner is allowed to change direction once after the pitcher gains possession of the ball in the circle. The runner may have been in motion when F1 got the ball, and the runner may have continued in that direction for several steps, but she is still allowed one stop, after which she can go either way.

It is true that POE #33 contains a sentence that apparently contradicts 8-7-T-1:

POE #33:

If a runner is moving toward a base, other than 1B, when the pitcher receives the ball in the circle, that runner must continue toward that base or be called out.

8-7-T-1:

When a runner is legitimately off a base after a pitch or as a result of a batter completing a time at bat, and while the pitcher has control of the ball . . . the runner may stop once, but then must immediately return to the base or attempt to advance to the next base.

The problem with the sentence from the POE is that everyone knows of instances when it does not apply. For example, if a runner who has received a base on balls has rounded 1B and is moving toward 2B when F1 gets the ball, the runner can still continue to move toward 2B—even proceed to within an inch of 2B—and then stop, reverse direction, and return to 1B.