LBR - Little League softball

[U of M Sam]

Looking for help. I must be overlooking the LBR in the LL softball rule book or it is not listed by itself (as in NFHS softball). I understand the LBR for NFHS softball and thought the LL rule was basicly the same. The NFHS LBR rule reads (in part) that a batter/runner may stop once......................although I do not find that text in the LL rules.
Please advise LL rule reference. Thank you.
Sam

[Az.Ump]

RULE 7.08
Any runner is out when -

(5) [Softball only] the runner fails to keep contact with the base to which that runner is entitled until the ball has been batted or reaches the batter or in Junior/Senior/Big League, the runner fails to keep contact with the base to which that runner is entitled until the ball has been released by the pitcher. When a runner is off a base after a pitch or as a result of a batter completing a turn at bat, and while the pitcher has the ball within the eight (8) foot radius circle, the runner must immediately attempt to advance to the next base or return to the base the runner is entitled. NOTE: If the pitcher has possession of the ball within the pitcher's circle, and is not making a play (a fake throw is considered a play), runners not in contact with their bases must immediately attempt to advance or return to base.
PENALTY: The ball is dead. "No Pitch" is declared, and the runner is out. Eight (8) foot radius circle must be properly marked.

Fair Ball, January 2002
Situation 28: On a base on balls, the pitched ball is immediately returned to the pitcher in the eight-foot circle. The batter runs to first base, rounding the base in a move toward second base. While ten feet off the base, the runner stops and returns immediately to first base. The umpire calls the runner out. Correct or incorrect?
Ruling: Incorrect. The rules was not designed to allow the defense to get easy outs, although we, as umpires, sometimes try to use it that way. The defense has the responsibility to get the runner stopped at first base or to try and throw the runner out at first or second base. As long as the runner immediately attempts to advance or retreat after the stop, the runner has done nothing wrong.

It's all I could find.

Paul

[U of M Sam]

Thank you Paul.
I am familiar with RULE 7.08. The "Fair Ball January 2002" helps me more even though the LL rule does not read that the runner may "stop once". I have been properly using the rule for LL ball.
Sam

[CecilOne]

I bet "Eight (8) foot radius circle must be properly marked." causes some issues.

[BretMan]

Another point from a different discussion board where the ASA/FED Look Back Rule was being compared to the Little League rule:

Little League does not seem to have the same criteria as ASA/FED regarding WHEN the LBR goes into effect. For instance, one requirement of the ASA/FED rule is that the LBR is not in effect until the batter-runner touches first base.

I don't see that stipulation in the LL rule. In other words, their LBR goes into effect when the pitcher has the ball in the circle, REGARDLESS of whether the B/R has yet touched first base.

Not doing any LL games in my area, so I'll let any LL umpires comment as to the accuracy of this satement.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by BretMan

Another point from a different discussion board where the ASA/FED Look Back Rule was being compared to the Little League rule:

Little League does not seem to have the same criteria as ASA/FED regarding WHEN the LBR goes into effect. For instance, one requirement of the ASA/FED rule is that the LBR is not in effect until the batter-runner touches first base.

I don't see that stipulation in the LL rule. In other words, their LBR goes into effect when the pitcher has the ball in the circle, REGARDLESS of whether the B/R has yet touched first base.

Not doing any LL games in my area, so I'll let any LL umpires comment as to the accuracy of this satement.

My "first" thought was that the " in effect" timing only matters to the other runners. But what if (extreme example), the BR stops part way to 1st as a distraction to the pitcher while someone else steals. Without the "in effect" timing, would the BR be guilty of a LBR violation?