What is the look-back rule in softball?
A · Advanced · Pitching and base running · 2 of 6When the pitcher holds the ball inside the pitcher's circle, a runner who is off a base must go straight back to it or straight on to the next one. They cannot stand between bases or dance about to draw a throw. A runner who has returned to a base and then leaves it is out, and the ball is dead.
How it works
- The circle: radius 2.44 m (8 feet) around the pitcher's plate. The lines are inside it.
- When it applies: a runner is off the base after a pitch or after the batter's turn ends, and the pitcher has the ball in the circle.
- The duty: "immediately return to their base, or attempt to advance to the next base".
- Once back: a runner who returns to a base for any reason is out if they leave it again.
- Penalty: the runner is out and the ball is dead.
- Released by a play: the rule stops applying if the pitcher makes a play on any runner. A fake throw counts as a play.
- Released by the ball: or if the pitcher no longer has the ball in the circle.
- Released by the pitch: or when the next pitch is on its way.
- After a walk: the batter may run through first base and on towards second, as long as they do not stop at first.
- Stopping after the turn: a batter who rounds first and stops must at once go back or go on.
- The double base: a runner standing only on the foul half of first base while the pitcher has the ball in the circle is out.
The glossary has the leaving a base entry, the base runner, the pitcher, the live ball, the walk and the out.
Tricky cases
A runner rounds second, sees the pitcher has the ball in the circle and stops to watch. Is that allowed?
Only for a moment. They must immediately go back to second or on to third. Staying put is an out.
The pitcher, in the circle, raises an arm and fakes a throw at the runner. Is the runner still bound?
No. A fake throw is a play, and once a play is made the runner may move either way.
A batter walks, jogs to first and keeps going to second without stopping. Legal?
Yes. A base on balls is treated as a batted ball, and the batter-runner may continue as long as they do not stop at first.
The pitcher has the ball but is standing with one foot outside the circle. Does the rule apply?
No. The pitcher must have possession of the ball within the circle.
Why the rule exists
The pitcher may not throw to a base from the plate, so without this rule a runner could wander off a base and dare the defence to react. The circle rule ends each play cleanly: once the ball is back with the pitcher, runners must settle and the next pitch can follow.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pitcher has the ball in the circle | Runner must return or advance at once | WBSC Softball Rule 5.10.3 b iii |
| A play, a fake throw or a pitch | The runner is released | WBSC Softball Rule 5.10.3 b iv |
| A walk or dropped third strike | Batter-runner may continue past first without stopping | WBSC Softball Rule 5.10.3 b v |
| Baseball | No such rule: runners may stay off the base | WBSC Baseball Rule 10 |
From the rule book
World Baseball Softball Confederation, Official Rules of Softball: Fast Pitch (2026-2029), Rules 5.6 b, 5.10.3 b and Appendix 1, F. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: WBSC Official Rules of Softball, Fast Pitch, 2026-2029 (PDF).