look back question

shipwreck · #1 (**permalink**) Sat May 10, 2003, 06:35pm

I thought that I was pretty darn sure of the look back rule until I read something in POE #33. Here is what it says in one paragraph. "If a runner is moving toward a base, other than first base, when the pitcher receives the ball in the circle, that runner must continue toward that base or be called out." So you mean to tell me that if a batter/runner goes to first on a hit, walk, etc.., as the pitcher is receiving the ball in the circle, and then rounds and takes some steps toward second, she must continue to second or be called out? The wording in 8-7-T never states this rule, only POE #33. The actual rule says the runner may stop once, but then must immediately return to the base or attempt to advance to the next base. This seems in direct conflict to the POE. I know you allow the stop, so why is the POE so unclear. Maybe I am missing something. Dave

Dakota · #2 (**permalink**) Sat May 10, 2003, 07:55pm

Quote:

"If a runner is moving toward a base, other than first base, when the pitcher receives the ball in the circle, that runner must continue toward that base or be called out."

I don't have my rule book with me, so I can't read this sentence in context to take a stab at what the intent was, but, hey, look at it this way... if you took that sentence literally, that would mean that the runner moving toward first base would not be required to continue toward that base. I'm sure that is not what they meant, either!

greymule · #3 (**permalink**) Sat May 10, 2003, 07:58pm

I noticed that in POE #33, too. I'm sure it's a mistake, because everybody knows that runner who is between bases is allowed one stop after the pitcher gets the ball in the circle.

Often a runner is a couple of steps past a base and moving toward the next one when the pitcher gets the ball in the circle. The runner is certainly allowed to stop and return. In fact, the runner could continue to run practically to the next base and still take her stop and return.

Also, a runner who is retreating to 2B when the pitcher gets the ball in the circle could continue almost back to 2B and then stop and change direction. After that, she has to keep going toward 3B until the pitcher makes a play.

I just didn't have the energy to call the error in POE #33 to everyone's attention.

I think the POEs are written by the same person who writes the ASA test.

[Edited by greymule on May 10th, 2003 at 08:02 PM]