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ASA 2007 Rules
RULE 8 - BATTER-RUNNER AND RUNNER
Rule 8, Section 7
T. (Fast Pitch) LOOK BACK RULE.
The “Look Back” rule will be in effect for all runners when the ball is live,
the batter-runner has touched first base or has been declared out, and the pitcher
has possession and control of the ball within the pitcher’s circle. The pitcher is
considered to be in the pitcher’s circle when both feet are on or within the lines.
1. When a runner is legitimately off a base after a pitch or as a result of a batter
completing a turn at bat, and while the pitcher has control of the ball within the
eight foot radius of the pitcher’s plate, the runner may stop once, but then must
immediately return to the base or attempt to advance to the next base.
2. Once the runner stops at a base for any reason, the runner will be declared out
if leaving the base.
3. Responsibilities of the batter-runner after touching first base, and while the
pitcher has control of the ball within the eight foot radius of the pitcher’s plate.
This includes a base on balls or a dropped third strike.
EXCEPTION 10-U Class B fast pitch).
a. A batter-runner who rounds first base toward second base may stop,
but then must immediately without stopping return to first base
or attempt to advance non-stop to second base.
b. A batter-runner who over-runs first base toward right field,
turns left and immediately stops, must then return non-stop to first base
or attempt to advance non-stop to second base.
c. A batter-runner who over-runs first base toward right field,
turns left and moves directly toward second base and stops is committed to
second base and must attempt to advance non-stop to second base.
d. A batter-runner who over-runs first base toward right field,
turns left and moves back toward the infield in any direction except directly
toward second base is committed to first base and must return non-stop to first base.
e. A batter-runner who over-runs first base toward right field, and turns right,
is committed to first base and must return non-stop to first base.
EFFECT - Section 7-T (1-3): The ball is dead. “No pitch” is declared when applicable,
and the runner is out. If more than one runner is off base, when one is called out,
the ball is dead and other runners are returned to the last base
touched. One runner only may be called out.
EXCEPTION: The runner will not be declared out if
1. A play is made on any runner. A fake throw is considered a play,
2. The pitcher no longer has possession of the ball within the eight foot radius,
or
3. The pitcher releases the ball on a pitch to the batter.


RULES SUPPLEMENT
34. LOOK-BACK RULE (Fast Pitch) (Rule 8 Section 7 T).
When a runner is legitimately off base after a pitch, or as a result of a batter completing
their turn at bat, and is stationary when the pitcher has the ball in the circle, the runner
MUST immediately attempt to advance to the next base or immediately return to the base left.
The responsibility is entirely on the runner. There is no obligation on the pitcher to look, fake or throw.
A. The “look back” rule does not go into effect for any runner until the batter-runner touches
first base or is called out, and the pitcher has control of the ball within the eight foot radius circle.
B. Failure to immediately proceed to the next base or return to their original base after the
pitcher has the ball within the circle results in the runner being called out.
C. Once the runner returns or stops at any base for any reason, the runner is out if they leave that base.
EXCEPTION B-C: A runner will not be declared out when:
1. A play is made on another runner, or
2. The pitcher leaves the circle or drops the ball, or
3. The pitcher releases the ball to the batter, or
4. The pitcher places the ball under their arm or between their legs to free both hands to fix their
uniform, hair, etc. The ball is not controlled unless it is held in the glove or hand.
Once the pitcher controls the ball again in the glove or hand, the “Look Back” rule is again in effect.
D. If multiple runners are off base and more than one umpire calls a runner out,
the umpires must determine which runner was called out first and return the other runner(s)
to the base they left. When a runner is declared out in this situation, the ball is dead.
It is impossible to call two outs on the “look back” rule.
E. A pitcher fielding a ball in the circle is an infielder and runners can leave their base.
If runners leave their base, the same rule applies while the pitcher holds the ball in the circle:
once the runner stops, they must decide which way to continue or be called out.
F. A base on balls or a dropped third strike is treated as a batted ball if the batter-runner
continues past first base without stopping or stops only once and then immediately moves one way
or the other. However, if the runner stops at first base and then steps off the base after
the pitcher has the ball in the circle, the runner is out.
G. Batter-runners overrunning first base can not start back to the base, and before reaching first
advance to second base. If a batter-runner commits to first base, moving toward first base,
the runner must return to that base.
The batter-runner may not change their mind and advance to second base once they have started
moving directly to first base following the overrun. If they do so, the runner is out.
Umpire’s judgment determines what is committing toward a base.
H. If a runner is moving toward a base, other than first base, when the pitcher receives the
ball in the circle, that runner may stop once then immediately advance to the next base or
return to the previous base. A runner failing to advance to the next base or return to the previous
base should be called out. Making an attempt or fake justifies the runner being called out.
If, after the pitcher has the ball in the circle, the runner starts back to their original base or
forward to another base and then stops or reverses direction, the runner is out unless the pitcher
makes a play on them or another runner. When a play is made on any runner, other runners may also stop
or reverse their direction.
I. A runner is out when standing off the base and they do not immediately attempt to advance or return
after the pitcher has the ball in the circle.
J. While in the circle and in possession of the ball, any act by the pitcher that,
in the umpire’s judgment, causes the runner to react is considered making a play.
K. The pitcher must have control of the ball while in the circle. Placing the ball on the ground,
holding the ball between their legs or under their arm is not considered having control of the ball.
L. Being in the eight-foot circle is defined as both feet within or partially within the lines.
The pitcher is not considered in the circle if either foot is completely outside the lines.