Baseball Instruction/Base running rule

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Expert: - 5/5/2007


Question
There is a runner on 1st and the batter hits a ground ball. The batter is thrown out at 1st. Since this takes the force play out, can the runner from 1st either remain or return to 1st? I'm having trouble interpreting the rules.

Thanks.

Answer
Roger,

Rule 7.08(e) covers your question.

Any runner, who is forced to advance, must vacate that base at which they currently are.  Once a runner is "forced", they must then proceed to the next base from the last one legally touched(so the runner from first MUST advance to the next base, regardless if the batter is put out).

If the batter is out before the runner from first reaches second, then the runner must be tagged, but they are still required to advance to the next bag, and may not go back.

I hope this has helped, of you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

-Martin Hoover

Baseball Instruction

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Martin Hoover

Expertise

Questions regarding the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball and Softball. Questions regarding the history and organization of Little League Baseball at local, state, regional, and international levels. Advise regarding certain operational procedures and recommendations to Local League representatives.

Experience

Volunteer Little League Umpire since 2000; 2003 Little League, Junior League, Senior League and Big League Softball European Regional Umpire; 2005 Little League Softball Western Regional Umpire; Member- Hesperia National(Hesperia, CA) Little League Board of Directors(2003-2004); President- Hesperia National Little League Board of Directors(2005-Present); 2007 Junior Softball Western Regional Umpire

Organizations
Little League Baseball, Inc is the main operational center. I fall under Little League Western Region, and California District 49. I currently serve as President of the Hesperia National Little League Board of Directors.

Education/Credentials
Western Regional Junior Umpire School(2000)(Named Outstanding Junior Umpire of the Western Region Area); Instructor - Little League Baseball Western Regional Outreach Clinics

Awards and Honors
Outstanding Junior Umpire of the Western Regional Area(2000)

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