U12 ASA Baseball: Understanding Base Appeals and Missed Base Calls

QuestionIn a recent U12 ASA game our player hit a ball that went through the gap into left center and she ended up with a double. After play completion the

Girls Slow Pitch Softball: Understanding 1st Base Obstruction Rules

QuestionRecently in a teenage girls game, A batter hit a nice shot to right feild, which the outfielder had to chase down.  After the runner passed 1s

ASA Fastpitch Softball: Is the Behind-the-Back Pitch Legal?

QuestionI have a pitcher on my team that has demonstrated a behind the back pitch. She can throw it for a strike regularly. My question, is it a legal pitc

Identifying Illegal Bats: A Comprehensive Guide for Umpires

QuestionAs you may know, there is a growing concern about bat shaving/alternation in softball.  This includes removing the paint/decals from an illega

Understanding Sacrifice Hits & Bunts in Baseball: Rules & Scoring

QuestionHow is a slap hit different than a regular hit?  Shouldnt an attempted hit that is fielded but moved the runner be scored as a sacrifice than

Baseball Fair/Foul Ball Rule: Ball Touched in Foul Territory

QuestionIf a ball is hit slowly down the first base line and bounces twice in play and the fielder touches ball in flight and in foul grounds, is the ball

Softball Headfirst Slides: UFHS Rules & Safety

QuestionRichard, My daughter recently started 13-15year old softball league. Under UFHS guidelines, is there any rule against sliding head first into any

Softball 3rd Base Play: Fielding and Throwing Strategies

QuestionI just started to play 3rd base and I have a few questions: If there is a person 1nd base, and a batter is up, which base do i throw to 1st base or

Batter's Box Violation: When is a Batter Out?

QuestionASA I understand that if a batter steps out of the box to hit a ball, he is out.  What if he doesnt step out before hitting the ball but as he

Baseball Tag Rule: Safe or Out When Ball is Dropped?

QuestionWe do not have mandatory slide rule in our league.  A girl runs to home, catcher has caught the ball but in the tag, drops the ball.  Cat

Safe Weightlifting & Supplements for Teenage Athletes

QuestionHello, I have a 13 year old daughter, she is very active in several sports, primarily fastpitch softball. Between, team practice, pitching and batt

Runner Hit on 3rd Base: Rule Clarification & Strategy

QuestionBelow, you answered a question regarding runner on 3rd being hit while in contact with 3rd base.  So, batter/runner is awarded 1st base, but w

Hit and Run vs. Bunt and Run: Understanding Baseball Strategies

QuestionWhat exactly is the differance between a regular bunt and a bunt and run, do you not run for both? The same goes for what is the differance betwee

2004 Worth Max EST Bat: Wall Type & Legality - Expert Advice

QuestionRich, I recently purchased a 2004 Worth Max EST bat. We cant have bats defined as a double/multi walled, composite, and titanium bats. I was told I

Baseball Rules: Mound Visits & Pitcher Changes in 10U Games

QuestionASA - TTAS 10U.  As far as I know there are no modifications.  The end of a 10U game - clock was running out the Visitors had used 2 visi

Softball Baseline Obstruction: Understanding the Rules & Calls

QuestionMy daughter is in a 10 and under softball league playing ASA rules.  In the last game, the opposing team had a runner on 2nd.  At the nex

Extra Hitter Rules in ASA Slow Pitch Softball

QuestionWe play by asa rules slow pitch 10 women field can an extra hitter enter the field? can they become a fielder? AnswerThanks for the question! You

Softball Force Out at First Base: Rule Clarification

QuestionLast night, in a Girls 10U softball game, we had a situation that I feel was called incorrectly. With bases loaded the batter hit a ground ball to

Umpire Error Leads to Walk: Fast Pitch Game Situation

QuestionGirls (12-15yr old) Fast Pitch (NFHS rules).  We had a situation where a batter was called out on strikes.  She goes into the dugout. &nb

Double Base at First Base: Safety & Rule Recommendations for Youth Softball

QuestionHi- Im trying to convince our youth girls softball organization about the safety merits of using a double base at first, but theyve never heard of