Defense and the Look back rule
Question
This past weekend we played a team with aggressive running styles that we were not prepared for. I know the basics of the look back rule and how it works but please help me in this situation: Runners on 1B and 2B. After catcher throws back to pitcher, runner on 1B delay steals to 2B. Runner on 2B stays on base. If my pitcher holds the ball in the circle and watches both runners without making a pump fake or raising the ball, can the trail runner go all the way to 2B without touching and then head back to first? What if she heads back to first and stops or jukes on the way back? What happens if the runner on 2B leaves the base if my pitcher does not pump fake while trail runner is heading back to first? I assume she is out? How about if my pitcher pump fakes once at trail runner as she heads back to first and the runner on second takes a step off second base? Is she committed to go to third or can she make one stop and get back to 2B. I guess my question is, when is either runner in violation of the lookback rule in this kind of situation. This team also did the same thing to us with runners on 3B and 2B. Runner on 2B ran to third and our pitcher threw behind her to second, runner on 3B scored and runner from second ended up safe at 3B. I'm trying to figure out the best defensive strategy if this happens to us again. Do I have my pitcher hold the ball and force runner back to original base or do we try to pick off one runner? Your answer to the lookback rule will help me decide. Thanks.
Answer
First question, the answer is yes. Once the ball is in control of the pitcher in the circle, the runner is allowed to stop once. As soon as they stop they need to pick a base and go to that base immediately.
Second question, as long as the pitcher does not attempt or fake a play, the runner is out.
Third/Fourth question, Once the runner has settled on the the base while the ball is in control in the circle and there is not an attempt or a play, the runner must stay on the base until the release of the next pitch. You are correct, out.
Fifth question, once there is an attempt at a play, the look back rule is off and all runners can attempt to advance.
Sixth question, she is allowed one stop once there is no longer an attempt at another runner, she is not committed.
If you do nothing, the runner will have to return to the base from which they came.
Try this, once the runner has advanced most of the way to the base, have your pitcher move from the circle to a point between the trailing runner and the base they came from. Have them walk toward the runner making sure to be in line with the runner and the base they came from. Once the lead runner leaves the base, throw them out or pickle them.
If you are unsure of your fielder's ability to complete the play, ignore what is going on and wait for the runner to return to the base they came from.
Tom
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