USSSA RULES:
271. The bases are loaded with one out. F1 catches a hard hit ball on the short hop, as R3 falls down when she leaves first base. F3 a) tags the fallen R3, then tags first base to retire the batter-runner, or b) tags first base to retire the batter-runner, and then tags the fallen F3. In both cases, R1 touches home plate before the third out is made.
Ruling - LIVE BALL and a DOUBLE PLAY in both situations. In a), R1's run does not count because the third out is a FORCE PLAY. A force play is, among other things, a play on the batter-runner at first base. In b), R1's run counts because the third out on R3 is a TIME PLAY, not a force out. For a given runner, a force play ends when a following runner is put out. (3.FORCE PLAY, p 21)
NOTE - the USSSA Fastpitch rules book specifically includes a play on the batter-runner at first base in its definition of a force play
272. The bases are loaded with less than two outs when the batter hits the ball above the infield. The umpires incorrectly fail to call or signal "Infield Fly, the batter is out." The ball settles in fair territory. All of the runners advance one base and the batter-runner reaches first base safely. After the play is over, the defensive coach protests that the batter-runner should be out.
Ruling - LIVE BALL and all runner advances (other than the batter-runner) STAND. When an infield fly is not signaled or called, the batter-runner may be declared out if brought to the umpire's attention before the next pitch. It is the responsibility of the defense and offense to be aware of the situation, as well as the umpires (8.17.H NOTE)
273. R1 is on second base with one out. The playing field has painted out of play lines instead of fences. F7 catches a fly ball in live ball territory and then carries the ball out of play. R1 tags up and advances toward third base. F7 throws the ball to F5, who tags R1 before she reaches third base.
Ruling - this is a CATCH AND CARRY and the ball is DEAD; the batter-runner is OUT, and all runners are awarded one base. Runners are awarded one base if a fielder unintentionally carries a live ball into dead-ball territory (8.14.D.5, p 48)
274. The batter, in an attempt to swing at a pitched ball, steps backward toward the catcher. Both the batter's feet are in the batter's box when contact is made between the bat and the catcher's glove during an attempted swing.
Ruling - DELAYED DEAD BALL and OBSTRUCTION is called and signaled. At the conclusion of the play, the offensive coach is given the OPTION of:
i) the RESULT OF THE PLAY, or
ii) the PENALTY - the batter is awarded first base, and other runners are advanced only if forced
CATCHER OBSTRUCTION is ignored if the batter-runner reaches first base AND all other runners advance at least one base
(8.4.E, p 43)
275. B1 leads off the inning with a walk. As she touches first base, a) in a continuous motion she steps off first base into foul territory, b) in a continuous motion she steps on and past first base toward the outfield, c) in a continuous motion she makes one step toward second base and stops, or d) she stops on first base and then steps off the base in any direction. F2 throws the ball to F3, who tags the batter-runner while she is off base.
Ruling - the ball is LIVE when the batter becomes a batter-runner as a result of a walk.
In a) and b), the batter-runner is SAFE. A player who is awarded first base on a base on balls may continue on down the first base line after touching first base and immediately return without liability of being put out, if there is no feint or attempt to advance to second base
In c) and d), the batter-runner is OUT because in c) her step toward second base is considered an attempt to advance, and in d) she attained first base and stayed there momentarily before stepping off base
(8.10 NOTE 2, p 45-46)
QUICKIE QUIZ:
What occurs at the pregame conference?
There is NO REQUIREMENT that the head coach attend the Pregame conference (see item #3 below). At least one adult coach must attend. NO BALLS SHOULD BE THROWN OR HIT DURING THE MEETING.
1) Lineup cards are exchanged and accepted by the plate umpire
2) Ground rules are discussed
3) The head coach must be identified (if is generally the person at the plate meeting, but by rule they are not required to attend)
4) Each team's attendee must verify "legally and properly equipped"
5) If necessary, a coin flip occurs
6) Time starts when the plate meeting ends
271. The bases are loaded with one out. F1 catches a hard hit ball on the short hop, as R3 falls down when she leaves first base. F3 a) tags the fallen R3, then tags first base to retire the batter-runner, or b) tags first base to retire the batter-runner, and then tags the fallen F3. In both cases, R1 touches home plate before the third out is made.
Ruling - LIVE BALL and a DOUBLE PLAY in both situations. In a), R1's run does not count because the third out is a FORCE PLAY. A force play is, among other things, a play on the batter-runner at first base. In b), R1's run counts because the third out on R3 is a TIME PLAY, not a force out. For a given runner, a force play ends when a following runner is put out. (3.FORCE PLAY, p 21)
NOTE - the USSSA Fastpitch rules book specifically includes a play on the batter-runner at first base in its definition of a force play
272. The bases are loaded with less than two outs when the batter hits the ball above the infield. The umpires incorrectly fail to call or signal "Infield Fly, the batter is out." The ball settles in fair territory. All of the runners advance one base and the batter-runner reaches first base safely. After the play is over, the defensive coach protests that the batter-runner should be out.
Ruling - LIVE BALL and all runner advances (other than the batter-runner) STAND. When an infield fly is not signaled or called, the batter-runner may be declared out if brought to the umpire's attention before the next pitch. It is the responsibility of the defense and offense to be aware of the situation, as well as the umpires (8.17.H NOTE)
273. R1 is on second base with one out. The playing field has painted out of play lines instead of fences. F7 catches a fly ball in live ball territory and then carries the ball out of play. R1 tags up and advances toward third base. F7 throws the ball to F5, who tags R1 before she reaches third base.
Ruling - this is a CATCH AND CARRY and the ball is DEAD; the batter-runner is OUT, and all runners are awarded one base. Runners are awarded one base if a fielder unintentionally carries a live ball into dead-ball territory (8.14.D.5, p 48)
274. The batter, in an attempt to swing at a pitched ball, steps backward toward the catcher. Both the batter's feet are in the batter's box when contact is made between the bat and the catcher's glove during an attempted swing.
Ruling - DELAYED DEAD BALL and OBSTRUCTION is called and signaled. At the conclusion of the play, the offensive coach is given the OPTION of:
i) the RESULT OF THE PLAY, or
ii) the PENALTY - the batter is awarded first base, and other runners are advanced only if forced
CATCHER OBSTRUCTION is ignored if the batter-runner reaches first base AND all other runners advance at least one base
(8.4.E, p 43)
275. B1 leads off the inning with a walk. As she touches first base, a) in a continuous motion she steps off first base into foul territory, b) in a continuous motion she steps on and past first base toward the outfield, c) in a continuous motion she makes one step toward second base and stops, or d) she stops on first base and then steps off the base in any direction. F2 throws the ball to F3, who tags the batter-runner while she is off base.
Ruling - the ball is LIVE when the batter becomes a batter-runner as a result of a walk.
In a) and b), the batter-runner is SAFE. A player who is awarded first base on a base on balls may continue on down the first base line after touching first base and immediately return without liability of being put out, if there is no feint or attempt to advance to second base
In c) and d), the batter-runner is OUT because in c) her step toward second base is considered an attempt to advance, and in d) she attained first base and stayed there momentarily before stepping off base
(8.10 NOTE 2, p 45-46)
QUICKIE QUIZ:
What occurs at the pregame conference?
There is NO REQUIREMENT that the head coach attend the Pregame conference (see item #3 below). At least one adult coach must attend. NO BALLS SHOULD BE THROWN OR HIT DURING THE MEETING.
1) Lineup cards are exchanged and accepted by the plate umpire
2) Ground rules are discussed
3) The head coach must be identified (if is generally the person at the plate meeting, but by rule they are not required to attend)
4) Each team's attendee must verify "legally and properly equipped"
5) If necessary, a coin flip occurs
6) Time starts when the plate meeting ends