Stealing 1st base

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

I don't believe it has ever been legal to run the bases backwards. I'll check with my copy of the Cartwright Rules.

Yes it was - maybe not in Cartwright but it was at one time.

Per the JEA

The Official Note prohibiting a runner from illegally returning to a base was added to this rule (7.01) in 1963. It reflects the sentiments of the rulesmakers in the early part of the 20th century (circa 1920) who wanted to put an end to "trick plays" on the bases and "freak deliveries" from the pitcher. Prior to the proscription against this baserunning ploy in 1920, managers would use this unorthodox strategy in an attempt to score a run. With runners on first and third, the runner from first would attempt a steal of second hoping that the runner from third would score on the throw to second. If the strategy did not work and the runner did not score, the runner on second would "steal back to first" on the next pitch. Hopefully, this would instigate a poor throw which would produce a run or, at least, set up the trick play again. ¬This strategy was not in compliance with the objectives of the game as the rulesmakers intended and thus the legislation against it. Additionally, this legislation came on the heels of the Black Sox scandal and was deem necessary to help restore public confidence in the game.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Yes it was - maybe not in Cartwright but it was at one time.

Per the JEA

The Official Note prohibiting a runner from illegally returning to a base was added to this rule (7.01) in 1963. It reflects the sentiments of the rulesmakers in the early part of the 20th century (circa 1920) who wanted to put an end to "trick plays" on the bases and "freak deliveries" from the pitcher. Prior to the proscription against this baserunning ploy in 1920, managers would use this unorthodox strategy in an attempt to score a run. With runners on first and third, the runner from first would attempt a steal of second hoping that the runner from third would score on the throw to second. If the strategy did not work and the runner did not score, the runner on second would "steal back to first" on the next pitch. Hopefully, this would instigate a poor throw which would produce a run or, at least, set up the trick play again. ¬This strategy was not in compliance with the objectives of the game as the rulesmakers intended and thus the legislation against it. Additionally, this legislation came on the heels of the Black Sox scandal and was deem necessary to help restore public confidence in the game.

Per the JEA:

"With a runner on 3rd, the runner from 1st would attempt to steal 2nd hoping to draw a throw enabling the runner on 3rd to score. If this did not happen, the runner would return to 1st on a subsequent pitch and try again.

"Since this was not in keeping with the stated objectives of the game (batter becoming a runner, the runner touching each base in order and thus scoring a run), a rule was introduced in 1920 prohibiting such action. Contrary to today’s rule, however, the runner was out only when he or his legally acquired base was tagged."