The Look-Back Rule in Fastpitch Softball
Once the pitcher has the ball in the pitcher's circle and isn't making a play, a runner off her base has to decide right away: go to the next base or get back. Dancing off the base or stopping and starting can get her called out.
When it comes up
It's a fastpitch call: it kicks in once the pitcher controls the ball inside the pitcher's circle, the eight-foot circle around the pitching plate, and isn't throwing or faking a throw.
What the call is
The runner off her base can't just stand there or drift back and forth.
- Go right away: next base, or back to the one she left.
- Stop and wait, or reverse to bait a throw, and she can be called out.
- If the pitcher fakes or steps toward a runner, the rule's off.
- It only bites when the pitcher clearly has the ball and does nothing with it.
Why the rule exists
Fastpitch has no leading off, so without this rule a runner could stall a few steps off the base, daring the pitcher to throw. It forces a decision and keeps the pace moving.
How it changes by age
At coach-pitch ages there's no live pitcher standing in the circle, so the look-back rule usually doesn't come into play.
Once there's live pitching the look-back rule applies, and new runners get caught by it a lot, so it's worth reps.
Test yourself
Runner on second takes a few steps toward third after the pitch. The catcher throws the ball back to the pitcher, who stands in the circle holding it. The runner stops halfway and waits to see what happens. What's the call?
Show the call
The runner is out.
With the pitcher holding the ball in the circle and not making a play, the runner has to go on to third or get back to second, not stop and wait.