Batter doesn't reach first

[john5396]

This happend to a friend last week NFHS varsity.

Pitcher for the visiting team is at bat. he receives ball 4. The team sends out their coutesy runner while the batter runner is on his way up the baseline. The BR stops 6 feet short of the base and turns and heads for the dugout.

What rule covers this case? 8-4-2-p covers a runner abandoning the base after touching first.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by john5396

What rule covers this case?

10-2-3g, I think.

[DG]

Sounds like desertion. I have never seen this happen. HS players around here always go to 1b when walked and then stand there while the courtesy runner gets out there, even after time is called to make the change.

[maven]

A mechanically sound umpire would never allow this to occur. The CR cannot come out until time has been granted. We do not grant time after a BB until the BR touches 1B.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by maven

A mechanically sound umpire would never allow this to occur. The CR cannot come out until time has been granted. We do not grant time after a BB until the BR touches 1B.

Agreed. Even if you need to tell F2 to go to first.

An exception could be made if F2 is injured before going to first (hit by pitch for example), but we're into 10-2-3g territory now.

[john5396]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Agreed. Even if you need to tell F2 to go to first.

An exception could be made if F2 is injured before going to first (hit by pitch for example), but we're into 10-2-3g territory now.

How would you prevent this from happening. F1 trotted down the baseline till he was 5ft from the bag, saw the CR comming out and turned and went to the dugout. I guess if the umpire was really quick in determining what was happening he could have ejected the CR for comming onto the field during a live ball. But since the point of the CR ruile is to speed up the game, ejecting the CR seems quite a bit extreme.

How else would a sound umpire prevent this besides coacing the kids "Hey get back here and touch first!".

[Rich]

Originally Posted by maven

A mechanically sound umpire would never allow this to occur. The CR cannot come out until time has been granted. We do not grant time after a BB until the BR touches 1B.

Technically, we don't. In reality, I'll call time as soon as I think it's practical to do so.

That said, the kid needs to go to first before we allow a courtesy runner.

[CT1]

Originally Posted by maven

A mechanically sound umpire would never allow this to occur. The CR cannot come out until time has been granted. We do not grant time after a BB until the BR touches 1B.

I've never had this happen, but a quick "Hold up until he touches" to the incoming CR would seem reasonable.