Look-Back Rule

[justmom]

High-school JV. R1 on 3rd. Passed ball. Pitcher moves in to cover home, but catcher recovers ball before R1 has a chance to go home. R1 (with a good lead off 3rd base) watches pitcher walk back to circle. Pitcher gets back to circle, and just stands there looking at R1. R1 does nothing & stares down the pitcher for about 2-3 seconds (obviously making no move) until someone yells that runner has to do SOMETHING. R1 returns to 3rd. Question: how long can runner just stand there? Would you have called the runner out on the look-back rule? If not, how long would you wait?

[Ed Maeder]

The rule says immediately must return or attempt to advance to the next base. Every umpire has their own judgement as to what immediately means. In my opinion 2 or 3 seconds is an eternity.

[msrock1954]

Thousand-one, thousand-two, she's OUT!!!!!