ASA Fast Pitch Rules: Dropped Ball - Batter & Runner

Question
Scott,runner on first in both case. pitcher has foot on the rubber to start motion. she drops the ball. what is the call regarding the batter and runner. # 2 pitcher starts delivery and drops the ball.what is the call regarding batter and runner.

             thank you

Answer
Hi Dave,

Thank you for your question.  Let's look at ASA Rule 6-11, DROPPED BALL: "If the ball slips from the pitcher's hand during the delivery, a ball is declared on the batter, the ball will remain live and the runner(s) may advance at their own risk."

So, in #1, the pitcher couldn't have even started her delivery yet, since she didn't have both feet on the pitching plate, so we have a dropped live ball, the Look Back Rule goes out the window, the runner on 1B can advance at her own risk, and the batter in unaffected.

In #2, the pitcher is in her delivery, so we have a dropped live ball, the Look Back Rule goes out the window, the runner on 1B can advance at her own risk, and the batter has a ball added to her count.  If ball four, it's the same as a garden variety ball four: the batter-runner is entitled to 1B and her teammate runner is entitled to 2B, and both can advance beyond at their own risk.

Scott Kelly