Help with a Sitch..

[BretMan]

As a freshly certified NSA umpire, this one intrigued me.

The NSA rule book makes no mention of a dead ball being called when there is a Look Back violation- at least, no mention anywhere in the actual rule (8-8-X) or under the rule that describes dead ball situations (9-1-a thru v).

If the status of the ball (live/dead) is mentioned anywhere in the NSA rule book, with respect to a Look Back violation, I cannot find it. Going strictly by that, you would have to assume that the ball remains live.

But, wait...there's more!

There is an NSA case book available on-line at their website. And the case book plays are quite clear. Anytime there is a Look Back violation, the case plays all state that...THE BALL IS DEAD!

That makes sense for a couple of reasons.

First, it is in-line with every other rule set (ASA, FED, etc.).

Secondly, it takes away the possibility that the offense can benefit from an illegal act. Suppose the runner standing off the bag (ie: violating the LBR) is from third base. If the defense plays on her, the other runner trots into second base unchallenged. She has, in effect, gained an extra base because her teammate has violated a rule.