Newbie question

[Rich Ives]

7.08 Any runner is out when_

(j) He fails to return at once to first base after overrunning or oversliding that base. If he attempts to run to second he is out when tagged. If, after overrunning or oversliding first base he starts toward the dugout, or toward his position, and fails to return to first base at once, he is out, on appeal, when he or the base is tagged;


The only casebook comment I can find at the moment is from the LL case book. LL is OBR based, the wording if the rule is exactly the same, and the interpretation is the same.

LL Case Book Comment: A runner may turn in any direction after reaching first base even on a base on balls. Establish the runner’s intent to determine if he/she may be put out before returning to first. If an out call is appropriate, the runner must be tagged.


The problem you will run into is that an undertrained umpire may just claim that the turn toward 2B establishes intent.

If it happens file a formal protest. It will cause him to be trained if nothing else.