Overrun first; feint to second

[Carl Childress]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by umpyre007
Question: Under OBR rules could a runner that makes only a head feint towards second base be judged by the umpire as now being in jeopardy of being tagged out? If not, do additional physical "feinting" mechanisms have to be put into effect by the runner to be in jeopardy? If a runner cannot be tagged out for feinting towards second base then at what point is he considered to be "attempts to run" as noted in the rule?

Originally posted by Warren Willson, quoted from Jim Evans:"Professional Interpretation: Simply turning toward 2nd base shall not be interpreted as making an attempt to run to 2nd. This is a judgment call by the umpire. However, a single step or head feint may be interpreted as an attempt to advance (umpire's judgment). The umpire must be convinced that the runner made some movement which indicated that he might try to advance to 2nd."

Warren: Jim's recitation of the professional interpretation is very good for that level. I have my own guideline that has worked very well in the Youth Leagues where I have been the UIC.

Some FED coaches in my area were either managers, business managers, or "nofficial," official advisers to Pony, Inc., teams. Those FED guys were perfectly aware that the high school rule included "feint" while OBR says "attempt." "That was a feint; he didn't try to go" was a common complaint from those skippers.

So I devised the "traveling rule." After the kid sees the ball get away, he may take one step toward second; but if he "travels" (that is, if he then lifts his pivot foot), he has made an attempt and is jeopardy of an out. I have always observed that the easier you make the job for the kids when they are starting out to officiate, the more likely you are to keep them in our fraternity.

Bottom line, though: It's umpire judgment, as you say.

BTW: Just in case someone "misunderstands": The one step travel rule does not cover the case where the kid simply turns to the right to hustle back toward first. There, he might make two or three steps toward second without being in jeopardy.

After overrunning a base, B-R's do one of four things: They:

1. return to the base, turning either to the left or the right;
2. stop to locate the ball;
3. hesitate while deciding whether to return or advance;
4. feint an attempt to try to create an error; or
5. light out for second.

It's the difference between numbers 4 and 5 that creates the need for guidelines.