[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by FUBLUE
To play devil's advocate, If a runner rounds first on a base on balls or on a play were the defense gives up, why should we call her out? Isn't she supposed to pick up the ball once rounding the base? Isn't she just being aggressive with base running?

Take this scenario: We have a runner on second and first, a base on balls to the batter, runner from second (R1) jogs to third and rounds it, picking up the ball when she rounds. For argument sake, let's say that R3 reaches first and stops on first simultaneously with R1's round of third. If we apply "committed to second" logic to R3, her round has "committed here home" and she must break for it. But no one calls here out, because she is rounding the base, looking for the ball (unless coach stops her).

Why can't a runner round first, stop and return? Is the intent of the rule to CONTROL THE RUNNER, or to get cheap outs?

I don't see an argument here. This discussion applies to the BR becoming a R and the rules mentioned are exclusive to that player. Any other runner is free to advance as they wish. Once the ball is in the pitcher's possession in the circle and the BR has reached 1B, that player is allowed one stop. Only at that point would they be committed to a base assuming the pitcher doesn't make a play or lose possession of the ball.