7.13 Base Runner

Little League (Major) and Minor League: 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.

NOTE: Tee Ball: Base runners must stay in contact with the base until the ball is hit. When players have advanced as far as possible without being put out or having been retired, the umpire shall call “time” and place the ball on the tee.

The violation by one base runner shall affect all other base runners –

(a) 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;

(b) when a base runner leaves the base before the pitched ball has reached the batter and the batter hits the ball, the base runner or runners are permitted to continue. If a play is made and the runner or runners are put out, the out or outs will stand. If not put out, the runner or runners must return to the original base or bases or to the unoccupied base nearest the one that was left; In no event shall the batter advance beyond first base on a single or error, second base on a double or third base on a triple. The Umpire-in-Chief shall determine the base value of the hit ball.

(c) when any base runner leaves the base before the pitched ball has reached the batter and the batter bunts, hits a ball within the infield or advances on an uncaught third strike, no run shall be allowed to score. If three runners were on the bases and the batter reaches first base safely, each runner shall advance to the base beyond the one they occupied at the start of the play except the runner who occupied third base, that runner shall be removed from the base without a run being scored.

NOTE: See exceptions following this rule.

EXCEPTION: If at the conclusion of the play there is an open base, paragraphs (a) and (b) will apply.

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, 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, 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, batter received a base on balls or is hit by a pitch, each runner will advance one base and a run will score.

NOTE 1: When an umpire detects a base runner leaving the base too soon, that umpire shall drop a signal flag or handkerchief immediately to indicate the violation.

NOTE 2: For purpose of these examples, it is assumed that the batter-runner remains at the base last acquired safely.

NOTE 3: Tee Ball: Base runners must stay in contact with the base until the ball is hit. When players have advanced as far as possible without being put out or having been retired the umpire shall call “time” and place the ball on the tee.