Stealing second after being walked
2016/7/15 17:43:23
Question
On a 14U team, when a batter is walked and the pitcher has the ball in the circle but is getting ready to put her foot on the rubber can the runner still steal second on the walk.
Answer
If the base runner that walked stopped at first base then tried to steal second base and the pitcher had the ball within the circle the runner is in violation of the look back rule and the runner is out. If she never stopped at first base it is legal for her to attempt to steal second base even if the pitcher has the ball within the circle. The runner has the liability to be tagged out and she can not stop or reverse her direction unless the pitcher makes a play for her.
The "Look Back Rule" states that, when the pitcher has possession of the ball within the 8' radius circle and is not making a play on a runner, a runner must immediately return to her base or proceed to the next base, without hesitation, or be liable to be called out by the umpire. No runner may leave a base when the pitcher has possession of the ball in the circle and is not making a play on a runner. If the circle is not marked, the umpire will approximate the circle radius when making this judgment call.
The responsibility is completely on the runner however any act by the pitcher in possession of the ball in the circle that, in the umpires?judgment, causes the runner to react, is considered making a play.
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