by Daniel Miller
(Greenwich Village, NYC)

Is a baserunner leading off a base required to return to the bag after every pitch?

We have an umpire in our 13-16 (full 90-foot bases) that believes this to be the case. I am the President of the league and cannot find this rule.

THE COACH’S ANSWER

Thanks for the question Daniel!

It is absolutely not a requirement for a baserunner to return to the base in between each pitch.

On the flip side, as a coach I would teach your players to return to the base after each pitch because that is where they need to be when taking the signs from the 3rd base coach. If a player is off the base taking signs, he is not watching the pitcher who could easily pick him off.

So, I guess the answer is it is not illegal, but it would be a requirement of my players that they return to the bag after each pitch.

Thanks again!

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