I've coached several my son's rec baseball teams for many years and we always teach the kids to turn to their right after overrunning (or over-sliding) first base. We do this because it prevents them from the temptation to slight or fake an attempt toward second base when an extra base isn't possible. Our first base coach has a signal for it. And another to signal an over-throw, etc.

With that said, sometimes kids overrun first (especially on an RBI hit) and, while staying on the baseline, turn to their left and walk back to first. Several times we've had umpires allow them to be tagged out even though they made zero effort to take second base. They literally pivoted to their left on the baseline and were walking back to first when the tag out occurred.

I know this is a subjective call by the umpire but there is NO baseball rule in existence to my knowledge that dictates that a safe runner overrunning first absolutely must turn to his right while returning to first base.

"Rule 8-2 article 7: A batter runner who reaches first base safely and then overruns or over-slides may immediately return without liability of being put out provided he does not attempt or feint an advance to second."

Thoughts?