Running Walk

[ZupCoach]

Is there anything special from a rules perspective in regards to a running walk? I'd like to implement it and I should be able to do the following correct?

runner on third
batter receives ball 4, drops her bat runs to 1st turns and goes to second (regardless of where the ball is)

If the defense trys to make a play on her force the defense to get her in a run down

Try to send the runner at third home

[SSdad]

Not an umpire, but the teams my DD has been on have used that play with less than 2 outs.

[d19softball]

when the runner touches first the runner on third either has to go to third or home in this instance and once the ball is in the circle and the runner reaches first. If she does not do this she will be out. i will give you the rule number on that.

[Nathansbandits]

That is exactly how we execute it however unless it is two outs you usually will never get a play at 2nd if you have speed on at third they are to scared of letting the run score

[SSdad]

when the runner touches first the runner on third either has to go to third or home in this instance and once the ball is in the circle and the runner reaches first. If she does not do this she will be out. i will give you the rule number on that.

d19
you're talking about the LBR where the runner has to commit in a direction. The question was could the runner, on a walk, take 2nd base. The answer is yes as long as she doesn't stop on 1st. Once the runner stops, I beleive she is commited to that base and cannot advance to 2nd while the pitcher has the ball in the circle

[Nathansbandits]

The runner on third does not have to commit one way or the other....If the ball is in the pitchers hand then it is just like normal the runner on third does have to be returning to third..the key is the runner who walked if they turn that corner and make a move for second they have to keep going they can not go stop and return or proceed, it has to be one motion then once the pitcher makes the play on the runner advancing the runner on third now has the freedom to proceed at her own risk

[SSdad]

Agreed. D19 stated that the runner must commit home or back to 3rd. I don't beleive that is true. Just like after a pitched ball the runner could stand there frozen, eventually would have to make a decision

[JEL]

Rememer a runner is allowed ONE stop, then must advance or retreat. There are some differing rulings if the BR OVERRUNS first, but we won't go into that here, (read rule 8-7-T ASA).

Once the BR touches first, and the pitcher has ball control in circle, the Look Back Rule is in effect. If the runner at 3B is off the base, she must either advance to home, or return to 3B. If the BR STOPS on 1B, she has to stay. If she doesn't STOP at 1B, but rounds it towards 2B, she can continue on towards @B, stop a foot from the base (this is her "one stop") then immediatley continue to 2B, or return to 1B.

If at any time after the LBR goes into effect, any runner can be of the base until the pitcher stops making a play, and again shows control of th ball in the circle.

You can do what you ask, and it is done quite often. Many teams with a runner on 3B will totally ignore a walked BR, and allow her to trot on to 2B.

[wadeintothem]

Rememer a runner is allowed ONE stop, then must advance or retreat. There are some differing rulings if the BR OVERRUNS first, but we won't go into that here, (read rule 8-7-T ASA).

Once the BR touches first, and the pitcher has ball control in circle, the Look Back Rule is in effect. If the runner at 3B is off the base, she must either advance to home, or return to 3B. If the BR STOPS on 1B, she has to stay. If she doesn't STOP at 1B, but rounds it towards 2B, she can continue on towards @B, stop a foot from the base (this is her "one stop") then immediatley continue to 2B, or return to 1B.

(Directed towards the OP, not you JEL)
Just to clarify regarding R1@3B..
The LBR can be in effect on the runner on 3B and not in effect for the BR heading to 2B.

So..
If that runner is trotting to 2B and the runner is just hanging off 3B and the pitcher makes no play. R1@3B must immediately commit. She cant just hang off the bag if LBR is in effect. LBR is not in effect for the BR since she has made the turn and his head to 2B.. but since the BR has reached 1b, the ball is in the circle and R1 is just hanging off the bag.. it IS in effect for her.

DB, R1 Out, BR back to 1B.

[JEL]

(Directed towards the OP, not you JEL)
Just to clarify regarding R1@3B..
The LBR can be in effect on the runner on 3B and not in effect for the BR heading to 2B.

So..
If that runner is trotting to 2B and the runner is just hanging off 3B and the pitcher makes no play. R1@3B must immediately commit. She cant just hang off the bag if LBR is in effect. LBR is not in effect for the BR since she has made the turn and his head to 2B.. but since the BR has reached 1b, the ball is in the circle and R1 is just hanging off the bag.. it IS in effect for her.

DB, R1 Out, BR back to 1B.

Wade, your example is OK, but the statements are not quite correct. The Lookback rule IS in effect once the BR reaches 1B, or has been declared out (assuming control in the circle). It is in effect for ALL runners. The difference now becomes, if the R1 at 3B is off the bag and has already made her one stop, she must commit home, or back to 3B. The governing rule for the BR is she may continue all the way to third if she wishes, then make one stop, and advance or retreat.

Also, if R1 at 3B is IN MOTION when BR touches 1B, she may continue that motion, then stop and advance or retreat.

So, the LBR is in effect for BR once she reaches first, but if she continues, she has not violated the rule.