Quote:
Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA
NCAA players have it right, return the ball to the pitcher. The pitcher is the closest single player to all possible plays. The pitcher having the ball also puts the LBR in effect when it becomes available.
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What good is returning the ball to the pitcher? That is the problem; the B-R automatically rounds 1B and heads to 2B. Either:
a) she gets a free base (happens all the time in sub-varsity, 12U, and even 14U travel), or
b) she draws a throw and R1 has an opportunity to score. Either way, bad news for the defense.
But if F2 snaps a quick throw to F3, then F3 is facing R1 and can throw back home to retire R1. Otherwise, if B-R takes a step off 1B she gets tagged by F3. Either way, good news for the defense.
Only way to defeat this defensive maneuver is for a smart B-R to run through the base 10' - 15', then advance towards 2B. (So far, I have not seen that "smart" B-R.)
I'm not sure why you brought in the LBR; it's not part of this discussion. Sure it goes into effect when the B-R hits 1B, but if she turns the corner and keeps on going to 2B, there is no violation.
Finally, adult women playing NCAA ball are far superior defensive players than the teenagers that seem to be the subject of this posting. Adult B-R's are not going to attempt this gaming trick because the defenders can make quick, powerfull, and accurate throws and prevent the runner from going home. But at the lower levels it is still a defensive problem.
Because it does happen a lot at lower levels, it is good to bring it up on lthis board so that the newer umpires understand the correct mechanics. Too often both umpires will be watching the pitcher/B-R interaction. But the PU has to watch R1 for possible LBR violation and leave the B-R to the BU.
WMB