Expert: Martin Hoover - 6/11/2008

Question
I have been an ASA Umpire for the past 5 years.  Recently I have been asked to help with our local Little League.  A question came up about a runner leaving early ( I believe I have a good grasp of this rule) but I could find nothing that states a position about a runner not in contact with the base after the pitcher takes the mound.  A coach indicated his runner was called out but I can't find any ruling in the rule book.  Please help me with this ruling.  By the leaving early rule a runner is never put out by the rule.  Thank you for your response.

Answer
Tom,

I am taking this as being a baseball game (the ASA threw me off, thinking it was a softball question).

Rule 7.13 explains this in detail...
"When a pitcher is in contact with the pitcher's plate and in possession of the ball and the catcher is in the catcher’s box ready to receive delivery of the ball, base runners shall not leave their bases until the ball has been delivered and has reached the batter."

If a runner is off the bag, and the pitcher and catcher has reached the requirements stated in the rule, then the umpire needs to call time, and place the runner on the bag.

If the runner leaves early, the penalty shall be...
"when a base runner leaves the base before the pitched ball has reached the batter and the batter does not hit the ball, the runner is permitted to continue. If a play is made on the runner and the runner is out, the out stands. If said runner reaches safely the base to which the runner is advancing, that runner must be returned to the base occupied before the pitch was made, and no out results."

This is just the basics... the rule covers more detail (like if a batter hits the ball, etc.)

We seem to be meaner to the girls, and not the boys... in softball it would have resulted in an out... in baseball we send them back.

I hope this has answered your question.  Should you have any more, please don't hesitate to ask!

-Martin Hoover