leaving a base early

[AtlUmpSteve]

Can't/won't address 16"; don't really know the game.

In both fastpitch, and slowpitch; if a runner leaves a base before they legally can (different time, but same effect); "DEAD BALL", no pitch, runner is out.

[steveshane67]

thank you,

follow up question,

how is one supposed to discern the difference of not touching the base until the ball is batted and 8-7-V

V. When a runner is positioned behind and not in contact with a base to get a
running start on any fly ball.
EFFECT: The ball remains live.

SP game, lets say the runner, during the pitch, takes a step off 2B towards RF, the rule book really expects you to wait to see if 1) if the ball is hit high enough in the air to be considered a fly ball and 2) if the runner gets a running start.

seems like an awfully worded rule, and really completely unnecessary. and why would a runner want a running start on a FLY ball, wouldnt a GROUND ball more warrant a running start???

[JEL]

Originally Posted by steveshane67

thank you,

follow up question,

how is one supposed to discern the difference of not touching the base until the ball is batted and 8-7-V



SP game, lets say the runner, during the pitch, takes a step off 2B towards RF, the rule book really expects you to wait to see if 1) if the ball is hit high enough in the air to be considered a fly ball and 2) if the runner gets a running start.

seems like an awfully worded rule, and really completely unnecessary. and why would a runner want a running start on a FLY ball, wouldnt a GROUND ball more warrant a running start???

For 8-7-V, think here; Tag-up.

[wadeintothem]

The rule prevents a player from standing 10 yards into the outfield and timing his running start so he tags his base right as the ball is caught/touched - thus he cannot be appealed out, but he is already at a full speed run on the way home at the moment of the catch/touch.

And yes, I would expect an umpire to see that a runner was lining up behind the base as we are expected to see anything else...

[steveshane67]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

The rule prevents a player from standing 10 yards into the outfield and timing his running start so he tags his base right as the ball is caught/touched - thus he cannot be appealed out, but he is already at a full speed run on the way home at the moment of the catch/touch.

And yes, I would expect an umpire to see that a runner was lining up behind the base as we are expected to see anything else...

i just got it, i misunderstood that V was talking about after contact, while R was talking about before contact.

stepping backwards to get a running tag seems awfully hard to time correctly. was this a common practice until that rule was put in place?