Skunk in the outfeild in Little League

[bhumpire25]

I still do not see anyway that batter runner can run to first base and then run out to the outfield and not be out for not returning to his base or continuing to second in little league where their is no leading. I guess I will have to find another way to research this.

[ODJ]

Originally Posted by bhumpire25

I still do not see anyway that batter runner can run to first base and then run out to the outfield and not be out for not returning to his base or continuing to second in little league where their is no leading. I guess I will have to find another way to research this.

In that case, yes, I'd say he's out when the pitcher has the ball on the mound ready to pitch to the next batter. Other codes, it's just a big lead off of first.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by bhumpire25

I still do not see anyway that batter runner can run to first base and then run out to the outfield and not be out for not returning to his base or continuing to second in little league where their is no leading. I guess I will have to find another way to research this.

Wish I could help but my search of "skunk" on this website provided very little of value. Stick around, some of the LL "ummps" may direct you to better discussion on a LL website. This site deals mostly w/ rules. Many here don't discuss game strategies; other than throw the ball, hit the ball, and run. Somehow, somewhere, somebody manages to hang their ID on that one little playbook. BTW, girls play under modified rules, take off for 2nd or return to base. How clever is that?

All I know, as ODJ alluded too, most LL teams don't throw the ball back to their pitcher while the skunk is running around the OF. You would think the DC had the presence of mind to have his team throw the ball to the catcher, have him hold on to it, and request time. You know that most LL teams will give up 2nd base anyway on the next pitch. R1 will steal 2B and catcher will return ball to F1.

I would grant time and exchange words w/ the OC unless we were playing 5 inngs in 1.5 hours. Then I would tell the catcher, "No! Hold on to the ball son and lets wait right here." But that is strictly how I would handle it as an ump if the skunk's team were losing. If they were winning, other than shake his hand after the game, what would you do?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by SAump

Wish I could help but my search of "skunk" on this website provided very little of value. Stick around, some of the LL "ummps" may direct you to better discussion on a LL website. This site deals mostly w/ rules. Many here don't discuss game strategies; other than throw the ball, hit the ball, and run. Somehow, somewhere, somebody manages to hang their ID on that one little playbook. BTW, girls play under modified rules, take off for 2nd or return to base. How clever is that?

All I know, as ODJ alluded too, most LL teams don't throw the ball back to their pitcher while the skunk is running around the OF. You know that most LL teams will give up 2nd base anyway on the next pitch. R1 will steal 2B and catcher will return ball to F1. You would think the DC had the presence of mind to have his team throw the ball to the catcher, have him hold on to it, and request time.

I would grant time and exchange words w/ the OC unless we were playing 5 inngs in 1.5 hours. Then I would tell the catcher, "No! Hold on to the ball son and lets wait right here." But that is strictly how I would handle it as an ump if the skunk's team were losing. If they were winning, other than shake his hand after the game, what would you do?

I don't know where the "ummps" thing comes from. I imagine you're trying to get a dig on LL umpires, but then again you'd grant the defense time with a runner in the outfield, so maybe those in glass houses....

Anyhow, to answer the question:

The runner certainly can go to the outfield, however once the pitcher and the catcher are in position and the runners stop, all runners not on their base must commit one way or another or a 7.13 violation has occurred.

This brings me to ODJ's comment: "Leaving early" never causes an out in Little League. It usually requires that the runner be returned to the original base, but has other penalties (other runners can be returned or limited in their advance) as well. It's not an uncomplicated rule, but one thing it doesn't yield is an out.

The best thing the defense can do, again, is to ignore the runner. One the pitcher and catcher are in place, 7.13 applies and the umpire will drop a red flag and penalize accordingly. And the offense will stop doing this, especially since there is a penalty in LL that could hurt the team batting.

This is a perfectly reasonable RULES question perfectly reasonable for this site, OP, despite what others in this thread have said.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bhumpire25

I still do not see anyway that batter runner can run to first base and then run out to the outfield and not be out for not returning to his base or continuing to second in little league where their is no leading. I guess I will have to find another way to research this.

Read 7.13. If this is really Little League (R), then there is NEVER an out for not returning or advancing. Just a red flag and return the runner after the pitch. If the pitch is batted, follow the instruction in 7.13.

[bhumpire25]

Gentlemen,
Thanks for a little more information on this. I do not do much Little League but help out when they are short.
Thanks agian.