Leaving the Base Early (7.13) This Rule Is Unique To
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Leaving the base early (7.13) This rule is unique to LL, and may cause umpires a lot of headaches. The bottom line: if any base runner leaves a base before the pitch reaches a batter, all runners are guilty, and depending on the subsequent action, runners must return to any unoccupied bases. The Rule Book has a number of examples that are pretty straightforward. Some that are less understood: If the batter is subsequently thrown out on a play, ALL RUNNERS return. For example, a batter hits a double with the bases loaded, but gets gunned down trying to stretch it into a triple. Since his out left all the bases open, no runs score and all runners must return. If his out was the third out of the inning, no runs score and the inning is over! Expect the offensive manager to be very peeved by this. The runners can only advance to the bases they would have achieved based on the umpire's judgment of the base value of the hit, regardless of any subsequent errors. For example, a batter hits a sharp grounder to the centerfielder with the bases loaded, and the ball goes under the centerfielder's legs all the way to the fence. After the play is over, the umpire may judge the value of the hit was a single. If so, he would put the batter on first, and put the other runners on second and third (only one run scores). If with the bases loaded the ball doesn't leave the infield, no runs score. This is explained in Example 15 in the Rule Book. What is not explained is if the ball is hit in the infield and then goes through because of an error on the fielder. Here the umpire should rule that the value of the hit is only one base, so everyone only gets one base and one run scores. If a runner leaves early, he cannot correct his mistake by returning to touch the base. For example, a runner on second leaves early then sees the ball is flied to right. He tags up and tries for third, and ends up scoring on a wild throw. He must return to second because he left early, regardless of the fact he subsequently tagged it. There is no “fixing” a 7.13 violation. First, all runners are returned to the base closest to the one occupied at the time of the pitch - not just the violator - even if an out is made. If the ball is put in play and batter-runner reaches at least first base then the umpire(s) need to determine the "value" of the hit (one base, two base, three base - four base - any ball not leaving the infield is always ruled as one base) and place the batter-runner at the appropriate base and return other runners to base closest to where they were at the time of the pitch - any advancement due to misplayed batted ball or playing errors are nullified. If a player is put out during continuous play and one or more bases are "opened" then it becomes available for returning a runner – bases loaded, ball hit in gap, all 3 runners score but batter is thrown out at 3rd trying to stretch into triple - all 3 runners return to bases they were at time of pitch - no runs score bases loaded, batter hits home run but is called out on appeal for missing a base - no runs score - and if not the 3rd out runners return). Special situation for bases loaded and batter-runner reaches on an INFIELD hit - all runners advance - in this case the runner from 3rd base does not score and no out is recorded - he/she simply goes into the dugout. EXAMPLES: 1. Runner on first leaves too soon, batter reaches first safely, runner goes to second. 2. Runner on second leaves too soon, batter reaches first safely, runner returns to second. 3. Runner on third leaves too soon, batter reaches first safely, runner returns to third. 4. Runner on first leaves too soon, batter hits clean double, runner goes to third only. 5. Runner on second leaves too soon, batter hits clean double, runner goes to third only. 6. Runner on third leaves too soon, batter hits clean double, runner returns to third. 7. All runners on base will be allowed to score when the batter hits a clean triple or home run, regardless of whether any runner left too soon. 8. Runners on first and second, either leaves too soon, batter reaches first safely, and runners go to second and third. 9. Runners on first and second, either leaves too soon, batter hits clean double, runner on first goes to third, runner on second scores. 10. Runners on first and third, either leaves too soon, batter reaches first safely, runner on first goes to second, runner on third remains there. 11. Runners on first and third, either leaves too soon, batter hits a clean double, runner on first goes to third, runner on third scores. 12. Runners on second and third, either leaves too soon, batter reaches first safely, and neither runner can advance. 13. Runners on second and third, either leaves too soon, batter hits a clean double, runner on third scores, runner on second goes to third. 14. Runners on first, second and third, any runner leaves too soon, batter hits clean double, runners on second, third score, runner on first goes to third. 15. Bases full, any runner leaves too soon, batter reaches first safely on any ball bunted or hit within the infield, all runners advance one base except runner advancing from third. Runner advancing from third is removed, no run is scored and no out charged. If on the play, a putout at any base results in an open base, runner who occupied third base returns to third base. 16. Bases full, any runner leaves too soon, and batter received a base on balls or is hit by a pitch, each runner will advance one base and a run will score. For purpose of these examples, it is assumed that the batter-runner remains at the base last acquired safely. Notes Bases loaded and any one of the runners leaves his/her base early. Ball hit to shortstop that goes through his/her legs onto the outfield grass. Ruling: All runners advance safely. One run will score because the ball was not valued as an infield hit. Remember, the ball must stay in the infield to use 7.13(c) .