Happened over the weekend (18U ASA National Qualifier)...1 out, runners on 1 and 2. Batter takes a ball to make the count 2-2, and then proceeds to run to 1 thinking it was a walk (seriously thought it was a walk). Both runners trot to the next base. Ump says nothing. Defensive team does not react, so either they also thought it was a walk or were confused. Defensive coach starts yelling "that's only ball 2!" Umps look at each other and agree that it was only ball 2, so the batter heads back to the box. Our runners start to go back to their original bases and we yell for them to stay where they are, as in our minds they essentially advanced due to defensive indifference (they only took one step and got back before any play could be made on them). Umps agree, so now we have runners on 2 and 3.
Anything funky in any of that? Any interpretation that could result in a different outcome? If the umps thought our runner was purposely trying to confuse the defense in order to advance runners (believe me, she was not), could the umps have sent the runner back to their original bases?
Anything funky in any of that? Any interpretation that could result in a different outcome? If the umps thought our runner was purposely trying to confuse the defense in order to advance runners (believe me, she was not), could the umps have sent the runner back to their original bases?