On another board, much disagreement on whether a runner who turns right after touching 1st, must retouch 1st prior to continueing on to 2nd (i.e. 1st baseman misses throw, ball rolling loose). I believe that the runner's basepath is from where he is when he attemps to go to 2nd-directly to 2nd base, and doesnt need to retouch. ASA rules. Thanks

Let me preface this by saying I know nothing about ASA rules, however, since this seems like a general baseball softball thing, I do not think that it matters.

With regard to retouching first...that is not required at any level of baseball, so I do not believe that it will be required in ASA either.

With regard to the baseline for the runner, I know that in professional baseball a basepath is not defined until a defensive player has the ball and the baseline is dependent on where the defensive player is. I want to say that in ASA there would be no defined baseline until a defensive player has possession of the ball and is trying to put said runner out.

Unless there is something unique to softball which way you turn has nothing to do with what you do after. You can turn either way and return to first unless you make a feint or attempt to advance. At that point you will be liable to be tagged.

Isn't retouching when you have to go BACK to a base previously on but cannot leave yet or be forced out?

For example - hit and run with runner on first. Runner rounds second when flyball is in the gap. The outfielder makes the catch for the out and now the runner has to return to first. Before he can be safe at first he must touch second since he already passed it by legally touching it.

To me that is what retouching is about.

That is one form of retouching but any time you are off a base and are not being awarded a base you have to advance or retouch last legal base.

If it's ASA, USSSA or NSA slow pitch softball, you must return to the base prior to the next pitch, once the ball is returned to the pitcher you have to be on the base before the ball can be pitched.

now on a live ball, no you do not have to retouch 1st base.

why are we discussing ASA here?


not a flame, just wondering. Everyone knows there are serious rules differences b/w softball and baseball, and IMO this just confuses people who come looking for baseball stuff. Asking 'this is how it is in SA, what is the OBR rule?" is fine, but then it degrades into 2-3 pages about softball rules, and thats not what this board is about.

JMO, blast me as you feel led.

Why are we dicussing ASA here?
Because I officiate, baseball, football, basketball, and softball, and view various forums, and thought I was on the SB forum. My bad....