I have called batter/runners out in the following situation in the past as
has many of my colleagues. But in a past news letter I received from the
Little League Umpire Registry this situation came up and the batter/runner
was not called out. Now I am confused and looking for some clarification.
Little League, Fast pitch softball, 0 or 1 outs. Batter takes ball 4 and
is awarded 1st base. As the batter trots to first the catch returns the
ball to the pitcher in the 8 ft circle. As the batter/runner gets to 1st
she turns toward 2nd base and takes 1 step off the bag and looks back to
see where the ball and pitcher are, or where a play may be taking place at
that time.
At this point I have called that runner out if she returns to 1st base,
thinking that by taking that 1 step she has made a move or committed to 2nd
base. But now I am thinking she still has an option to go to 2nd or return
to 1st providing it is done immediately. Anybody have a clear call on this?

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Geneva">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Wclapper on 02-21-2000 06:21 PM
Anybody have a clear call on this?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Not for Little League, but I know that Federation allows the batter-runner to continue toward second when she reaches first. In this case, her pause then requires her to immediately commit to either first or second.

I believe in Fed. the runner can round first base in this situation. As soon as her progress towards 2nd stops she must return directly to first. However, if a play is made on her she can go either way.

In Federation the runner may round first and stop, if no play is made on her, she must immediately return to first or go to second. This is with the pitcher having the ball in the circle. Other base runners must follow th same rule.

As they said in Blazing saddles: "Tom Cook is right!!!"....Charlie Cook

Sorry but Tom is incorrect and DB is correct.
See Rulebook page 59 Rule 8-4k, to paraphrase, once ball is in circle baserunner must make immediate decision to go to second or return to first.
If there is hesitation other than to make that decision, then she is called out.
Of course if the pitcher makes a play on her then the previous does not apply.