[BuggBob]

During yesterdays "big game" with one out, tied score, bottom of the seventh, R1 @ third and R2 at first, R2 legally advances towards second in an attempt to draw the throw from the catcher. The catcher a wily veteran simple throws the ball to the pitcher who is clearly in the circle. R2 continues to advance towards second, slows, changes speed, but never stops or changes direction. Eventually R2 arrives at second. The defensive coach is going nuts, yells for me to "Come here!" Foolishly I go over to where he is and he starts to give me what for because I did not call the R2 out for a look back rule violation. I listen for about 5 seconds and tell him there was no violation and head back out to the C position. He follows me out and tell me that was not what was talked about at our preseason meeting with the state clinician. I told him that I was also at that same meeting and the situation described at the meeting was not the same as what had just happened in the game, runner is not out, lets continue the game. Next pitch is hit for a double scoring two game over. Coach is really going nuts at my "misapplication" of the look back rule, that is the whole reason they lost the game. I just smile and leave the field.

Please correct me if I am wrong, I think that as long as the runner is advancing to the base and not changing direction, there is nothing on how slow or fast the advance needs to be or if the advance needs to be at the same speed. therefore no LBR violations. Additionally if the pitcher makes an attempt for fakes an attempt LBR is reset. Simply looking at the runner is not an attempt, this was the situation talked about by our clinician.

In our area we have nine schools and 11 umpires, I am going to see this guy again. Based upon past experiences he will bring this up again at the pregame plate meeting.

Bugg