Yesterday, we were in the finals game of an All-Star tournament and it has become very clear to me and frustrating that a lot of umpires and coaches do not know the ASA rules.
First issue, we are up to bat with runners on 1st and 3rd, opposing team's pitcher starts her wind-up, takes a step to home plate and stops for some reason (i.e. never releases the ball). Umpire calls a "ball" and starts to get ready for the next pitch. I call time and explain to the umpire that by definition this is an illegal pitch and our baserunners should also move up one base scoring the run from third and 1st baserunner should go to 2nd base. He confers with the field umpire and they still only rule that its a called "ball" on batter and the baserunners CANNOT move up one base! I would have protested the ruling but I would have had to stop the game, give the UIC $100 cash deposit (which I would lose if I lost the protest). Since we were up by 2 runs anyways I let it go.
The second issue was the opposing coaches on defense would sit on their buckets in front our their dugout several feet on the dirt field in foul territory and one coach was even standing outside the dugout and giving instructions to his fielders only a few feet away from my 3rd base coach. Additionally, they had their relief pitcher warming up in foul territory but still in the field of play. I asked the umpires to correct the situation and they did very little to stop this.
After the game (which we won by the way) the manager of the other team got in my face and said I was being unsportmanlike for enforcing the rules during the game.
Its just disappointing to me that some coaches don't read the rulebook and some umpires don't enforce the rules. Just had to vent.
First issue, we are up to bat with runners on 1st and 3rd, opposing team's pitcher starts her wind-up, takes a step to home plate and stops for some reason (i.e. never releases the ball). Umpire calls a "ball" and starts to get ready for the next pitch. I call time and explain to the umpire that by definition this is an illegal pitch and our baserunners should also move up one base scoring the run from third and 1st baserunner should go to 2nd base. He confers with the field umpire and they still only rule that its a called "ball" on batter and the baserunners CANNOT move up one base! I would have protested the ruling but I would have had to stop the game, give the UIC $100 cash deposit (which I would lose if I lost the protest). Since we were up by 2 runs anyways I let it go.
The second issue was the opposing coaches on defense would sit on their buckets in front our their dugout several feet on the dirt field in foul territory and one coach was even standing outside the dugout and giving instructions to his fielders only a few feet away from my 3rd base coach. Additionally, they had their relief pitcher warming up in foul territory but still in the field of play. I asked the umpires to correct the situation and they did very little to stop this.
After the game (which we won by the way) the manager of the other team got in my face and said I was being unsportmanlike for enforcing the rules during the game.
Its just disappointing to me that some coaches don't read the rulebook and some umpires don't enforce the rules. Just had to vent.