ASA rule only.....

Assuming...

"I agree that we teach it that way, but the ASA is a little different. If she starts heading back to first base she can be and should be called out if she attempts to head towards second base. Once you start back towards first base you can only go to first base."

This is assuming that the pitcher has the ball in the circle...right? If the ball isn't in the pitcher's posession, in the circle, the only way that the runner can be called out is with a tag. The "runner's lane" stops at the bag as well, so there is no clear lane beyond, only the right field line.

Turning into the field of play does not show intent unless you make a move towards second and you can make the move and go back unless (1) the ball is in the circle in the pitcher's posession or (2) you get tagged out going back to first.

 

Another possibility........When utilizing a double bag at 1st base, ASA has a rule about the batter-runner HAS to touch the orange part when going to 1st base, unless the throw takes the defensive player to the foul side of the bag. The supplement does not specifically state this, but it is implied (now we are getting into lawyer stuff). I have yet to see a batter called out for using the wrong side of the base, but who knows, someone might be looking to make the game about him/her instead of the girl's accomplishments.

ASA Rules Supplement

 

Over running First Base

The rule in ASA that covers this situation is different than the rule that exist in NCAA. The ASA rule is as follows:
(1) With ball in the pocession of the pitcher, inside the pitching circle; A batter-runner, after over-running first, turns left and comes to an "IMMEDIATE" stop, may decide, instantly whether to advance to second or return to first base. (2) If she turns left and her turn takes her in the direction of second base, she must proceed directly and without stop to second. (3) If her turn takes her in a path towards the infield, other than towards second, she is to proceed directly and without stop to first. (4) if she turns right, then she must return immediately to first. If she does anything opposite of what is spelled out in items 2 thru 4, then in each, she would be called out, without having to be tagged out. This is spelled out in the ASA Rules book, under the "Look-back" rule. However, it is my understanding, that the situation in question, the batter-runner simply rounded first base and was tagged out prior to her return to first. The officials that were on the field for this particular play, did a poor job in handling the situation and that is what led to the confusion. Miscommunication between officials, along with the plate official ruling on something she had no right to.

 

Some people love to play God.

I wonder who the genius was who thought that up. Do people actually get paid for this? Whatever happened to just being safe? Must have been to easy.

 

Just like the IRS fixing loop holes in rules that have unintended consequences... I guess the alternative for you would be require the batter/runner to stop at first base instead of allowing the over run? That would eliminate all the extra paragraphs.

 

It would also eliminate the poor job in handling that situation, the confusion, and the miscommunication. If the umpires have a hard time learning and understanding the rule how do they expect anyone else to understand it. Seeing the runners foot touch the bag at the same time the ball arrives and trying to figure out who won can be hard enough. No reason to complicate things.

 

I'm still confused but that means......

....I'm the same as ever. Thanks to ya'll bringing the lumber on this gig for sure. Now to throw in a little breaking curve ball down and away on folks and to you Stingray I'll use your post to lob up this floater for ya'll to smash back over the net. In ASA, some years back, ASA "A" nationals, we played a game that this event/play happened. Check this out, batter gets a base hit, runs through the 1B orange bag, eases back to 1B and is listening to her 1B coach. She steps onto the orange bag all the while listening to her coach, obviously not paying attention to white or orange base.
Ump calls her out!
The ump said that the player had a 5ish second rule to return to the proper base.
Fish.

 

Seems to me the rule could be simple. After you run through the bag, as long as you stay in foul territory you are protected; once you step into fair territory you are eligible to be tagged out; even if you step back into foul territory. You would still keep the return to the base, or advance, of course.