LBR Violation

[youngump]

So I'm working a massacre last night and even the massacring team wasn't very good. At this point it's about 12-0 in the 4th.

1-2 count on the batter with runners on 1 and 2. (Could have been loaded, don't remember for sure).

Pitcher throws a ball.
Runner starts down toward first. I double check my indicator and then say that's two. So she starts heading off. And a new batter comes up to the box. Well, I start to straighten this out and as I am the whole time, the runner at second is standing 4 feet off the base with the pitcher holding the ball.
Technically this is a LBR violation, though certainly not the intent of the rule.

So

1. Should the runner be called out in a good game?
2. With the other team needing all the help they can get do you take this one?
3. Is this a call that the PU can make?

--Ben.
________
Classaction lawsuit

[Dholloway1962]

Based on what you said, you were in the process of umpiring duties (straightening out the count and getting the right batter back to the plate). You have no LBR violation as time was called.

I would say either umpire could make the call...I would have to go look in the umpire manual to see if it is addressed. My preference is for the base umpire to make the calls on the bases. Only exception would be multiple runners on base with a runner at 3rd, then plate would cover the runner at 3rd and BU the others.