AAU Baseball: Fair Playing Time and Batting Opportunities for Youth Athletes

QuestionMy 13 yr old son plays on an aau team. They have a double header every Sat. and Sun. He gets 3 at bats on Sat. and 3 on Sun. He plays 4 innings in

Should 9-10 Year Olds Steal Home? A Manager's Perspective

QuestionHello, I am odds with some members of the league my son plays in, and I am the manager of my sons team.  My son is 10 and plays in a league l

Baseball Scoring: Understanding Out Calls and Base Advancement

QuestionQUESTION: Batter hits a shot in the gap, misses first and stops at 2nd. Defense appeals that he missed first base; Umpire agrees and calls him out.

Little League Rules: Player Contact with Catcher - Is It Legal?

Questiontoday my 12 year old son was running home and the other teams catcher was in front of the plate blocking it he ran into the catcher, he was kicked

Baseball Rules: When Do Runs Count After an Umpire's Decision?

QuestionI am a coach of an 8th grade baseball team.  In a game last night there was 1 out runners on 2nd and 3rd.  The batter flyed out to the sh

Little League Baseball: Infield Interference & Obstruction Rules

QuestionMartin, in little league I instruct the infielders to stay off the running line if there is a runner on the bag, several coaches have disputed this

Understanding Softball Rule 3.09: Application to Practice

QuestionQUESTION: Does softball rule 3.09 (or any other in the Official Regulations and Playing Rules, for that matter) apply to practice away from the gam

Softball Umpire Rules: Coach Mound Visits & Delayed Strikes

Question2 questions 1.Is it a official visit when a coach visit the mound between innings,during warm up? 2.Is IT SHOWING UP A UMPIRE IF AFTER A DELAYED CA

Force Out Definition: Does Possession Require Ball Off the Ground?

QuestionWe had a runner on first when a ground ball went to short, the shortsop threw it to the 2nd baseman who missed it but kept his foot on the base whi

First Base Rule: Is a Runner Out if They Impede a Fielder?

QuestionMartin, Question is: is the batter/runner considered out at first base when the throw to first pulls the baseman off the bag?  Lets say it wa

Umpire Delay: Pitcher on Rubber with Runners - MLB Rules

QuestionIf the pitcher has control of the ball on the rubber, and runners on first and third, with the runner on firstmaking an attemp to second, how long

Handling Player Behavior in Little League: Removing Players and Game Continuity

QuestionManager pulls own player from LL or Ripken game for a behavior problem.  Continuous batting order.  How do you handle it when the batters

Little League Obstruction Rule: Understanding the Call

QuestionIn a recent 12 year old Little League game, there was an obstruction call which got me confused. The runner on 1B went to 3B on a ground ball hit t

Understanding Batter Interference Rules (7.9(c) & 7.11)

QuestionRule 7.11 makes clear that...the players, coaches or any member of an offensive team shall vacate any space (including both dugouts) needed by a fi

Bunt Defense Responsibilities: 1st & 2nd Base Runners

QuestionWho is responsible keeping the runner on second close to the base?  The second baseman or shortstop?  Seems like the second baseman cant

Baseball Rule: Force Out at First Base - Correct Application?

Questionmy son was playing first base.  batter hits the ball up in the air, son catches ball then drops, still batter not at 1st, son picks up ball th

Offensive Interference at Home Plate: Batter's Role & Rule Clarification

QuestionQUESTION: Rules 7.11 and 7.09(c) address Offensive Interference.  I am interested in plays at the plate (runner trying to score).  Are th

Handling Player Behavior: A Manager's Guide to In-Game Decisions

QuestionAndrew, I asked the question below to another expert, but I had a follow up question, and this expert is now on vacation.  Would you mind ans

ASA Softball Rules: Runner Advancement After Out-of-Play Catch

QuestionIn asa softball does the runner have to be in contact with the base occupied when a fielder catches a fly ball and then in turn carries ball out of

Understanding Mixed-Handedness in Children: A Parent's Guide

QuestionHello Rick, my son is left handed. He definitely bats right but he wants to catch and throw with his right hand. He writes left, uses scissors left