Last night I was watching an ASA men's softball game. A batter had earned a walk, however he thought he was out. He walked all the way back to the bench. The defensive team appealed and threw the ball to first. As the defense shouted at the ump, the man came back and went to first. The umpire, puzzled by the situation, decided that since he did not see the man go back to the bench, he should be safe. I immediately saw that as the wrong call, once a batter/runner leaves the field or base line he should be out. After further thinking, I am having trouble with the call because if a batter earns a walk, he has a right to first base, once he gets there, he's liable to be out. What does anyone else think?
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Nick
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