ASA 12U fastpitch look back rule

Question
Mark,

Bear with me while I 'frame' my question

Girl running to 1st after walk, ball still live. Throw from catcher arrives to pitcher in circle and pitcher has control one step before batter runner reaches 1st. BR rounds 1st without slowing, going toward 2nd. She gets 3/4 way to 2nd, stops for just a moment (maybe a half count) then immediately returns non-stop to 1st. Stops and holds at 1st. The pitcher did nothing that would be considered making a play on her. As I read the look back rule, she gets one stop, then must immediately go one way or the other. I read a lot of other answers here (and elsewhere)that factor in a commitment to 2nd. The commitment to 2nd making it a violation to return to 1st in this scenario. Your opinion please.

thanks
Bill


Answer
Hi Bill,

I had this question a year or so ago and I asked my friend Byran to help w/ it so that we would have a top notch opinion.


Bryan is one of the ASA Elite fp umpires (2 NCAA Women's World Series championship games I know of) and top instructors, he is also ISF and has umpired a number of world championships.

hi Mark,
In this play the runner does have the right to round the base, then stop and immediately return non-stop to first or continue non-stop onto 2nd.
In my judgement and I think others if they continue on past the half way point to second they have committed themselves to 2nd and cannot return to 1st.  Up to that point I think we can use common sense and say they did round the base and can return if they meet all other guide lines of the look back rule.
If they had continued past the 1st base into the outfield area, then went towards 2nd base they cannot return to 1st or they will be out.
Thanks,
bryan

So there you go Bill.

Mark