A UK Expat's Guide to Understanding and Enjoying Baseball

QuestionHi Rick I moved to America (Canada) from the UK  as a young man and the only sport I knew was soccer. During my leisure hours I like to watch

Baseball Rule: Branch Contact & Fair/Foul Ball - Little League

QuestionIn a 9 year old baseball tournament with little league rules a kid hit a ball straight up in the air just missing the overhead backstop and hits a

Baseball Scoring Rule: Runner on Third & Fielders' Error

QuestionYou have a runner on 3rd base and the batter hits a ball between 3rd base and the shortstop. The runner on 3rd heads home before the ball is hit. T

Baseball Rule: Force Out & Scored Runs - Understanding the Logic

QuestionI understand that the rule is that even if a runner crosses the plate before the third out is made, the run is not scored if the third out is a for

Curveball Velocity for Young Pitchers: Balancing Fastball & Change-Up

QuestionWith a 65 -68 mph fastball at age 13 and a change-up at 54 - 56 mph how hard should i throw my curve to make hitters off balanced Answerhi david t

ASA Baseball Rules: Runner Advancement Under the Fence - Correct Ruling?

QuestionIn a tournament this weekend the umpire allowed a runner third base on a ball that went under the fence because he said the runner was pass second

Home Plate Umpire Overruling a Call: Understanding the Rules & Respect

QuestionCan a home plate umpire overturn a call at first base without being aske by an appeal? AnswerThats a loaded question......As the umpire in chief,

Little League Glove & Bat Recommendations for a Growing Player

QuestionGood Afternoon. I have 2 questions: 1) my son is 9 3/4 years old, 5 tall, 87 lbs.  We are looking for a new glove and a new bat for little lea

Baseball Rule: Can a Runner Steal Third After a Pitch?

QuestionIn youth baseball (9 year olds)is a runner on second allowed to steal third after the catcher has thrown the ball back to the pitcher and before an

Little League Baseball: How Many Innings for a Winning Pitcher?

QuestionMartin, Lets say a little league game goes 6 innings.  One team is ahead of the other team the whole game.  How many innings does the st

Fixing a Disconnected Throwing Motion in Teen Athletes

QuestionMy 15 yr. old son has developed a weird throwing motion,where he seems to throw almost off his front foot. I think he is somehow disconecting the f

Defensive Positioning: Holding Runners in Fair Territory - Baseball Rules

QuestionI am trying to instruct my first and third baseman on how to hold a runner on base.  I was told by one umpire that the defensive player must h

Junior League Softball Rule Enforcement: Addressing Player Participation

QuestionIt is my understanding every player on the team has to play. This did not happen in the title game and the ending results were allowed to stand.. I

Ace Your College Baseball Tryout: Mental Preparation Strategies

Questionhey i am going to college to play baseball as a catcher/outfielder. i have passed the first round of evaluations due to my great throwing arms and

MLB Winning Pitcher Determination: Understanding the 5-Inning Rule

QuestionThe 5-inning rule in the major leagues might lead (at least in theory) to a bizarre result.  If pitcher A leaves after four innings with a 14-

Sacrifice Fly Rule: Does the Run Count with a Force Out?

Questionwith runners on first and third and one out a batter hits a fly ball to the outfield with the ruunner on third tagging up and scoring but the runne

Blown Save Scenario: Who Gets Credit?

QuestionHello Brian, I just read your post explaining when a pitcher can receive a blown save.  It was very helpful but I do have a follow-up.  W

Force Play Ruling in Softball: Understanding the Rules & My Situation

QuestionQUESTION: Hello- A dispute over a force play happened during my 12-inch softball game in Chicago today and Im wondering if you can help me clear th

Foul Territory & Base Hits: Understanding Baseball Rules

Questionin a recent game a ball was hit and hit the third base unfortunately the base had been staked incorrectly and the base was in foul territory normal

Dropped 3rd Strike Play: First Base Occupied?

QuestionRunner on 1st with 1 out. Runner attempts to steal 2nd while pitcher is in delivery motion. The pitch is a dropped 3rd strike. Batter attempts to r