[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by aceholleran

Had a similar, yet hypothetical, sitch a few years ago.

A coach and friend (imagine that!) put this to me." I've got a big tubby kid batting ninth and my speedster leading off. If Chubby gets on base, why can't I tell him to leave early on every pitch? If Speedy makes out, then Chubby goes back to first. He also ight get to 2B in time to break up a double play with his leviathan slide. Also, if Speedy hits a clean double, Chubby has a much better chance of making it safely to 3B, and rule 7.13 allows him to stay there. So why not try?"

I mulled this over, and, technically, the coach had a point. Plus he was, mirabile dictu, correct on the 7.13 sitch with Speedy's double. After much ponderation, I took this to Eastern Region HQ, where they gave me a cogent answer. I am posting this becuase it is akin to repeated removing of helmet.

I'll come back later with what I learned.

Ace

Deliberately leaving early is a intentional rules violation and subject to calling a forfeit.

It is not in the same league as helmet removal.