LBR Question (lifted from eTeamz)

[Dakota]

Originally posted by IRISHMAFIA
The problem is that no rule specifically addresses at what point a pitcher in the circle returns to being a pitcher after acting as a fielder handling a batted ball.

If the runner is off with the pitch and F1 snags a line drive, R1 becomes aware of the catch, reverses direction and then hesitates trying to find the ball, when to you initiate the LBR?

Once the ASA, NCAA and NFHS find a manner in which to address this, the rule will probably be changed. ASA just didn't want to make a change which could possibly go through another change next year or soon after.

The hole, then, is in all three books, not just NFHS and NCAA. Good luck to them, but this seems like jousting windmills. The play by the fielder F1 is over when it is over - i.e. when she is no longer making a play.

Just like the deception play discussed earlier, it is reasonable for the umpire to give the runner time to determine what just happened and locate where the ball is. It needs to be remembered why the LBR is there - and it is not to get a "gotcha" out on a runner who is just doing normal runner things. How can this be addressed in the rules without making things worse? Comments in a POE might help, though.

If some are having trouble with "impede the runner" ... well, imagine the issues if things get too specific here.