2025-26 NFHS Softball

Look-Back Rule

Updated 1/05/2026

Look-Back Rule 8-8-1

The Look-Back Rule will be in effect when the ball is live, the batter-runner has touched first base or has been declared out, and the pitcher has possession of the ball within the pitcher’s circle. (2-44)

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Look-Back Rule 8-7-2

The runner(s) may stop once, but then must immediately return to the base or attempt to advance to the next base.

Look-Back Rule 8-7-3

Once the runner stops at a base for any reason, the runner will be declared out if the runner leaves the base.

Look-Back Rule 8-7-4

Responsibilities of the batter-runner after completing a turn at bat, and while the pitcher has the ball within the 16-foot pitching circle, including a base on balls or a dropped third strike are as follows:

Look-Back Rule 8-7-4a

• A batter-runner who rounds first base �toward second base may stop, but then must immediately, without stopping, return to first base or attempt to advance to second base.

Look-Back Rule 8-7-4a

Must return to 1B

or attempt to advance to 2B without stopping.

Batter-runner rounds 1B toward 2B and stops:

Look-Back Rule 8-7-4b

• A batter-runner who overruns first base toward right field, turns left and immediately stops, must then return non-stop to first base or attempt to advance to second base.

Look-Back Rule 8-7-4b

Must return to 1B

or attempt to advance to 2B without stopping.

Batter-runner overruns 1B turns left and immediately stops:

Look-Back Rule 8-7-4c

• A batter-runner who overruns first base toward right field, turns left and moves directly toward second base and stops is committed to second base and must attempt to advance non-stop to second base.

LOOK-BACK RULE 8-7-4c

Is committed to 2B and must

attempt to advance to 2B

without stopping.

Batter-runner over runs 1B toward right field, turns left and moves directly toward 2B and then stops:

Look-Back Rule 8-7-4d

• A batter-runner who overruns first base toward right field, turns left and moves back toward the infield in any direction except directly toward second base is committed to first base and must return to first base.

Look-Back Rule 8-7-4d

Batter-runner over runs 1B toward right field, turns left and moves back to the infield in any direction except directly toward 2B and then stops:

Must return to 1B.

Look-Back Rule 8-7-4e

• A batter-runner who overruns first base toward right field, and turns right, is committed to first base and must return to first base.

Look-Back Rule 8-7-4e

Must return to 1B.

Batter-runner overruns 1B towards right field,

and turns right and then stops:

Penalty (Arts 2,3,4)

1. The ball is dead.
2. "No pitch" is declared when applicable, and the runner is out.
3. If two runners or more are off their bases, when one is called out, the ball is dead and other runners are returned to the last base touched. Only one runner may be called out.

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EXCEPTION: The runner will not be declared out if a play is made on another runner (a fake throw is considered a play), the pitcher no longer has possession of the ball within the 16-foot circle, or the pitcher releases the ball on a pitch to the batter.

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