ASA ball change rule

Question
Before the start of my daughter's game the ASA umpire selected two game balls from a box that the coach had.  He then checked over every single bat to make sure they were legal.  During the 3rd inning my daughter (pitcher) noticed the ball felt wrong. In between innings the coach asked the umpire to check the ball because it didn't feel right.  The umpire stated he could not switch balls because the pitcher pitched one ball while he was talking with the coach.  The ump told him it had to be knocked out of play or changed in between innings.  The coach had brought this to his attention several times between the next two innings and when the team switched sides.  At the end of the game when the coached picked up the ball it was not even an ASA approved softball but NCAA.

Obviously the umpire should have noticed the ball when he picked them out himself.  For future reference when can a pitcher change a ball out and what rules would be associated with that?

Also could you clarify for me what a hit by pitch would be.  At another game a ball hit the dirt in front of the batter's box then hit the batter.  I said it was a hit by pitch and the coach on the other team (her batter)stated it was a dead ball because it hit the ground before hitting the girl. To my knowledge the ball would still be a live ball when it hits the ground then hits batter so would be a hit by pitch at which point the ball then becomes a dead ball.  Her understanding was that it was a dead ball because it hit the ground first.  Could you refer me to the proper rules on that as well?

Thanks,
TJ

Answer
Hi TJ,

Thank you for your question and for the time you put into it.  I will do my best to address your points in the order you wrote them!

I have to say right away that, as an umpire, I've been provided with a huge array of game balls: flat seams and raised seams, new and used, leather and artificial covers, Dudley, Rawlings, etc. manufacturers, and the list goes on and on.  If any of the balls' features/specifications weren't the proper match for the upcoming game, I would make an inquiry to the Tournament Director or Umpire-In-Chief.  If they said to use the balls at hand, I would.  The TD and UIC are standing on solid ground to provide a softball that "isn't by the book," as ASA's softball specs are only written for CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY.  The NCAA ball could have been appropriate for your daughter's game, if it wasn't championship play.  

1) The moment the coach first asked the umpire about the game balls, the umpire should have examined all of the game balls and addressed the coach's concern that the game balls might not be the right ones for the game, instead of putting off the coach and not examining the game balls.  In the end, the umpire might have left all of the game balls in play.  Reminder, the softball specs are written for championship play.

2) When can a pitcher change a ball out?
The pitcher can change a ball out 1) at the beginning of each half inning, but not in the bottom of the first inning, if the second ball never made it into play.  2) when the ball is unplayable.  Reminder, ball rotation is written for championship play.  The best description of ball rotation is ASA Rules Supplement #2.

3)  You correctly understand the hit by pitch rule.  A pitched ball that hits the ground is live.  When it hits the batter it becomes dead, and the batter and all runners (may) get one base.  See Rule 8-1-F.

Scott Kelly