Some rules to Ponder.......

Welcome to Discuss Fastpitch

Your FREE Account is waiting to the Best Softball Community on the Web.

May 29, 2015
3,731
113
USSSA Rules;

44. R1 is on first base with no outs. B2 has a one ball, no strike count. F1 delivers an illegal pitch which B2 takes as R1 steals second. The pitch crossed through the strike zone.

Ruling - DELAYED DEAD BALL is signaled, and "ILLEGAL PITCH" should be verbalized by the umpire. The pitch is called a STRIKE, and at the conclusion of the play, the offensive coach is given the option of:

i) the RESULT OF THE PLAY - accepting a strike on the batter, AND R1's steal of second base, OR

ii) the PENALTY - a ball is awarded to the batter, and R1 is returned to first base

(6.3.C, p 37)

Comment: on any OPTION PLAY, unless it is plainly obvious, it is good practice for the umpire crew to confer and agree on what the result of the play actually is, and what the options are to be offered by the plate umpire to the offended coach.

Hmmm ... :unsure:

That may be a USSSA specific interpretation. I may be wrong, but I think I have seen case plays that say the runner should stay on 2nd base as long as she was stealing with the pitch. Let me do some digging ...

Disregard that ... although I feel as if we are punishing the offense for the illegal pitch.

Then again, I don't like that automatically advancing the runner was taken out of the penalty. I personally don't think awarding a ball is enough. Much less incentive for pitchers to pitch properly. Low risk of getting caught vs. high reward of not messing up her mechanics?
 
Last edited:
Aug 25, 2019
1,066
113
46. R1 is at second base with one out. The batter, B2, enters the box with a non-approved bat and hits the first pitch for a single, scoring R1. The next batter, B3, is about to use the same non-approved bat and enters the batter's box. The defensive coach indicates to the umpire that the bat is non-approved.

Ruling - If it is determined for certain that B2 used the bat, the penalty is imposed against B2 since a pitch has not been thrown to the subsequent batter. B2's at bat would be negated and she would be declared OUT; any runners who were not put out on the batted ball (including R1) must return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch (second base).

If it is unclear whether B2 actually used the bat or not, or if a pitch is thrown to the next batter, then all prior action stands and B3 would be declared out for entering the box with the non-approved bat.

In either case above, the batter who is declared out AND her head coach are also EJECTED. In all cases, the non-approved bat is removed from the team's possession (7.14.A, p 40; 11.2.K PENALTY, p 58)

47. The on-deck batter goes to the other team's on-deck circle area to take her practice swings.

Ruling - ILLEGAL; the on-deck batter may take a position within the lines of the on-deck circle nearest the offensive team bench. No player is permitted to warm up in the other team's on-deck circle (7.1.A, p 37)

48. The home team is leading by one run after three innings. The visitors score two runs to go ahead in the top of the fourth inning. With one out in the bottom of the fourth, the umpire calls the game off due to rain.

Ruling - This is a REGULATION GAME and the home team wins. The score reverts back to the last complete inning because the home team has not completed its turn at bat in the fourth inning and is behind in the score (4.6.C.2, p 27)

49. F1 steps onto the pitcher's plate with both feet in contact with the pitcher's plate and properly takes her signal with the hands separated. She then steps back with her non-pivot foot, places her hands together for two seconds, and completes the pitch.

Ruling - LEGAL. As long as the step backward begins prior to the start of the pitch (when the hands separate), it is legal (6.1.E.1 & 2, p 34)

50. R1 is on first base. F2 obstructs B2's swing; however, B2 manages to hit the pitched ball on the ground to the outfield. B2 advances to and remains at first base while the fielder throws R1 out at third base.

Ruling - DELAYED DEAD BALL is signaled and "Obstruction" is called by the plate umpire when the violation occurs; the ball remains live. However, the obstruction is canceled because the batter-runner reaches first base AND all other runners (in the case, R1) safely advanced at least one base. The out on R1 at third base stands (8.4.E, p 43)
 
May 29, 2015
3,731
113
47. The on-deck batter goes to the other team's on-deck circle area to take her practice swings.

Ruling - ILLEGAL; the on-deck batter may take a position within the lines of the on-deck circle nearest the offensive team bench. No player is permitted to warm up in the other team's on-deck circle (7.1.A, p 37)

This is another rule where it is good to know what code you are playing ...

ILLEGAL in USSSA and NFHS.
LEGAL in USA Softball.

That said, some fields are pretty tight. As an umpire, if I am working NFHS or USSSA on THOSE fields I don't have an issue with players doing this in the name of safety. If we have plenty of room though, I am not allowing it.

If you are going to do it, keep in mind your on deck hitter should be BEHIND the batter (third base side for a right handed hitter; first base side for a left handed hitter). Your on deck hitter should not be moving across unless the ball is dead. The on deck hitter also shouldn't come running out late and stop on one side and then move across between pitches.
 
Aug 25, 2019
1,066
113
This is another rule where it is good to know what code you are playing ...

ILLEGAL in USSSA and NFHS.
LEGAL in USA Softball.

That said, some fields are pretty tight. As an umpire, if I am working NFHS or USSSA on THOSE fields I don't have an issue with players doing this in the name of safety. If we have plenty of room though, I am not allowing it.

If you are going to do it, keep in mind your on deck hitter should be BEHIND the batter (third base side for a right handed hitter; first base side for a left handed hitter). Your on deck hitter should not be moving across unless the ball is dead. The on deck hitter also shouldn't come running out late and stop on one side and then move across between pitches.
Yes, once again, these are USSSA rules. Now that we have all this downtime, The Man In Blue, you should put together a printout on the differences between USA/USSSA softball.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
Yes, once again, these are USSSA rules. Now that we have all this downtime, The Man In Blue, you should put together a printout on the differences between USA/USSSA softball.

There are documents out there that list the differences. If you google rules differences you should come up with the list.
 
Aug 25, 2019
1,066
113
USSSA RULES:

51. R1 is on first base. B2 hits a line drive toward F3. The ball deflects off F3's glove and hits the base umpire. The ball is then caught, still in the air, by F4.

Ruling - LIVE BALL because the ball touched a fielder prior to striking the umpire. The batter is not out because it is considered NO CATCH when the ball strikes anything or anyone other than another defensive player while it is flight even though it is then caught by a defensive player (3.CATCH.B.6, p 19; 10.1.F.1, p 56)

52. There are two outs and R1 is on second base. B4 hits a grounder toward F6. R1 causes interference with F6; however, F6 still throws B4 out at first base.

Ruling - DEAD BALL when the violation occurs; R1 is declared OUT for the interference. However, B4's turn at bat terminated when she became a batter-runner, and B5 should be the lead-off batter for the next inning (3.TURN AT BAT, p 25; 8.18.G, p 50)

53. With R1 on second base, R2 on first base and one out, F1 fails to bring her hands together for a full one second, then delivers the pitch to B4. who hits into a double play.

Ruling - The pitch is LEGAL, provided F1 brings her hands together at least momentarily. In USSSA play, there is no MINIMUM time requirement (i.e., one second, as in other codes) for the hands to be brought together -- only a maximum of 10 seconds. This effectively legalizes the so-called "tap-and-go" delivery style (6.1.D, p 34)

54. After F1 has taken the pitching position and is taking her signals, F3 steps into foul territory. B1 hits the pitched ball for a) an out, or b) a single.

Ruling - DELAYED DEAD BALL is signaled and "illegal pitch" should be verbalized. A catcher shall be inside the lines of the catcher's box and all other defensive players positioned in fair territory when the pitcher takes her position to pitch and when the pitch is released.

At the conclusion of the play, DEAD BALL is declared and the offensive coach is given the choice of:

i) the RESULT OF THE PLAY, or
ii) the PENALTY (a ball awarded to the batter)

It is likely that the coach would select a) the penalty, and in b) the result of the play (the base hit)

(6.2.A, p 36; 6.3, p 35-36)

55. In the bottom of the fourth inning, #45 for Team A is a) replaced in the lineup a second time by a pinch-runner, b) restricted to the bench/dugout area, or c) ejected. In the bottom of the fifth inning, she is discovered coaching first base.

Ruling - in a), LEGAL; although #45 is disqualified from playing in the game under the re-entry rule, she is not prohibited from serving as a base coach. In b) and c), #45 is an ILLEGAL PARTICIPANT, and the violation is penalized as an ILLEGAL PLAYER violation, resulting in the immediate ejection of the player AND her head coach (5.7, p 32-33)

Comment: It is important to remember that any youth player who is restricted to the bench or ejected shall remain in the dugout/bench area under adult supervision. Obviously, the intent of this rule is satisfied if the youth player chooses to leave the premises IF they are under the supervision of a parent/guardian.
 
Aug 25, 2019
1,066
113
USSSA RULES:

56. R1 is on second base with one out, and B2 has a count of 3 balls and no strikes. On the following pitch, R1 steals third base as B2 is awarded a base on balls. Before a pitch to the next batter, it is discovered that B2 used an altered or non-approved bat.

Ruling - DEAD BALL and B2 is declared OUT; R1's advance on the non-batted ball stands. The bat is removed from the team's possession. B2 and her head
coach are also EJECTED (7.14.A, p 40)

57. The batter shatters her bat as a result of hitting a pitched ball. The bouncing batted ball rolls into foul territory before first base, then hits a piece of the broken bat, which causes the ball to change direction and roll fair. The infielder then picks up the ball in fair territory and throws the batter-runner out at first.

Ruling - DEAD BALL and NO VIOLATION. If a batted ball, while on or over foul territory touches the person of an umpire, a player or any object foreign to the natural ground, it is a foul ball (3.FOUL BALL.D, p 21)

Note: if the ball had hit the bat pieces in fair territory and stayed fair then it would be a fair ball. If after hitting the bat pieces in fair territory, the ball rolled foul and was touched or settled in foul territory, if would be a foul ball

58. There are no runners on base. The pitcher commits an illegal act and the pitched ball makes contact with the batter, who did not swing at the pitch.

Ruling - DELAYED DEAD BALL is signaled and ILLEGAL PITCH is called, followed by a DEAD BALL when the pitched ball hits the batter. The batter is awarded first base, unless the contact was in the strike zone or the batter intentionally moved to get hit by the pitch. In those cases, a BALL is awarded to the batter (8.4.D, p 43)

59. R1 is on first base with no outs. B2 hits a pitched ball through the infield and all the way to the outfield fence. Both R1 and B2 are standing on third base when the ball is returned to the infield. As the ball is relayed to third, R1 abandons the base and retreats toward second base but is tagged out before reaching the base.

Ruling - LIVE BALL. Both R1 and B2 are out. When R1 retreats past B2 toward second base, B2 is guilty of passing a preceding runner, even though it was R1 who was doing the moving. B2 is out on the passing and the ball remains live. R1 is out for being tagged while off base (8.18.O, p 52)

60. The batter hits a pitched ball on the ground close to the foul line in fair territory. The infielder throws her glove at the batted ball and a) misses the ball, or b) makes contact with the ball.

Ruling - in a), NO VIOLATION and the ball is live if it remains fair. In b), DELAYED DEAD BALL is signaled. If the batter and all runners do not safely advance at least three bases, then at the end of playing action the bases shall be awarded; otherwise, the infraction is ignored (8.14.B.1, p 47; 8.14.D NOTE 1, p 48)
 
Aug 25, 2019
1,066
113
USSSA RULES:

61. R1 is on third base and R2 is on first base with one out. B4 hits a ground ball to F3 who fields the ball, touches first base and then throws the ball to F6 covering second base, where R2 is tagged out. In the meantime, R1 scores before the tag on R2.

Ruling - R1's run counts because the third out of the inning is NOT A FORCE OUT, and she scores before the third out is recorded on R2. For a given runner (in this case, R2), a force play ends when a following runner (B4) is put out (3.FORCE PLAY, p 21)

62. The batter steps across home plate to the other batter's box while the pitcher is off the pitcher's plate.

Ruling - NO VIOLATION. The movement of the batter is LEGAL because the pitcher is not in the pitching position. To be "in the pitching position", the pitcher must be in contact with the pitcher's plate and have possession of the ball (7.10, p 39)

63. B2 slides into home plate and rolls her ankle. She leaves the game in the third inning. The team has no substitutes and is now playing shorthanded with eight players. In the fifth inning the coach attempts to re-enter B2.

Ruling - ILLEGAL; even though B2 may have a re-entry left, an Absent Player may not return to the lineup unless she left the game pursuant to the Blood Rule (5.2.A.2, p 30)

64. R1 is on third base with one out. F5 is playing in front of R1 looking for the bunt. R1 is hit (unintentionally) by B3's fair batted ball near third base in fair territory. The defense cannot recover the deflected ball in time to play on R1, and R1 scores easily.

Ruling - LIVE BALL and NO VIOLATION. When a runner is hit with a fair batted ball after it is touched or has passed an infielder, except the pitcher, and the umpire judges that another infielder had no opportunity to make a play, the runner is not out and the ball remains live (8.18.N NOTE 2, p 52)

65. A batter hits a pitched ball on a line drive which hits the pitcher's plate and rebounds back toward the catcher, who catches the ball on the fly; the catcher then throws the batter-runner out at first base.

Ruling - NO CATCH - ball status depends on the location of the ball when first touched by F2. When the batted ball hit the pitcher's plate it is no longer in flight, so the batter is not out on the catch by F2. If first touched on or over fair territory, the ball is a LIVE BALL, FAIR and the play on the batter-runner stands. If first touched over foul territory, the ball is DEAD and a FOUL BALL (3.FAIR BALL.A, p 20; 3.FOUL BALL.A, p 21; 3.IN FLIGHT, p 22)

NOTE -- position of a fielder's feet:

1) is irrelevant in determining fair/foul status -- it's where the ball is that matters

2) but DOES determine live ball/dead ball status involving dead ball lines, dugouts, etc
 
May 29, 2015
3,731
113
USSSA RULES:

59. R1 is on first base with no outs. B2 hits a pitched ball through the infield and all the way to the outfield fence. Both R1 and B2 are standing on third base when the ball is returned to the infield. As the ball is relayed to third, R1 abandons the base and retreats toward second base but is tagged out before reaching the base.

Ruling - LIVE BALL. Both R1 and B2 are out. When R1 retreats past B2 toward second base, B2 is guilty of passing a preceding runner, even though it was R1 who was doing the moving. B2 is out on the passing and the ball remains live. R1 is out for being tagged while off base (8.18.O, p 52)


That one is a bit of a brain twister ... it is absoultely correct, but I would think one's natural inclination is to want to call out the person who causes the violation. I haven't had that happen, but I'll admit that I might kick that one without slowing down to think about it.
 
May 29, 2015
3,731
113
USSSA RULES:

65. A batter hits a pitched ball on a line drive which hits the pitcher's plate and rebounds back toward the catcher, who catches the ball on the fly; the catcher then throws the batter-runner out at first base.

Ruling - NO CATCH - ball status depends on the location of the ball when first touched by F2. When the batted ball hit the pitcher's plate it is no longer in flight, so the batter is not out on the catch by F2. If first touched on or over fair territory, the ball is a LIVE BALL, FAIR and the play on the batter-runner stands. If first touched over foul territory, the ball is DEAD and a FOUL BALL (3.FAIR BALL.A, p 20; 3.FOUL BALL.A, p 21; 3.IN FLIGHT, p 22)

NOTE -- position of a fielder's feet:

1) is irrelevant in determining fair/foul status -- it's where the ball is that matters

2) but DOES determine live ball/dead ball status involving dead ball lines, dugouts, etc


I am still waiting to see this happen ... :)
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,830
Messages
679,477
Members
21,445
Latest member
Bmac81802
Top