Understanding the 20-Foot Commitment Line in Slow Pitch Softball

QuestionDr. Mark, Can you help clarify what constitutes CROSSING the 20 foot committment line between third base and home plate used in Senior Slow Pitch

Baseball Rule: Fair vs. Foul Balls - Understanding Umpire Decisions

QuestionA long fly ball is hit down either line (in this case, the first base line). The ball is going to be a foot or two foul. However, the rightfielder

Understanding Baseball Umpires: Fair Calls and Player Responsibility

QuestionDr. Mark, Thanks for your reply, I know what you mean about a knowledgeable coach or manager being a lazy umpires nightmare.  The only thing

ASA Slow-Pitch Baseball: Out of Play Rule & Runner Scoring

QuestionDear Mark, In slow-pitch game under ASA rules, the pre-game ground rules designated each teams bench and beyond as out of play. With runners on f

Slow-Pitch Baseball: Understanding Territorial Disputes & ASA Rules

QuestionDear Larry, For slow-pitch under ASA rules: the batter hit safely to the outfield with one or more runners on base (cannot recall). The pitcher ru

Transitioning from Slow Pitch to Fast Pitch: Tips for Catchers & First Basemen

QuestionI have played slow pitch for five years and am now transitioning into fast pitch.  I am a catcher and first baseman.  I was wondering wha

Baserunning Speed for 13-Year-Olds: Expectations & Timings

QuestionWhat is a good time for a 13 year old to run from home to 1st and from home, around the bases, back to home? Answer   I really dont know wha

Effective Bunt Defense Strategies for 10U Teams

Questionim coaching a 10u team in the spring,was wanting to teach defending the bunt properly,if it matters my pitchers are very athletic and quick.thanks

Baserunning Rules: Understanding Coach Interference & Player Out Calls

QuestionWe had a situation that arose last week in a county softball league game. Basically, the runner was at first base, the ball was hit to the outfiel

Slo-Pitch Softball Appeals: Understanding Runner's Leaving Early & Run Scoring

QuestionRunners on 2nd & 3rd... 1 out.  Flair into right-center... boy dives, field ump declares a valid catch... Runner on 3rd scores, runner on 2nd

Softball Pitching Distance: ASA Rules for 11-Year-Olds

Questionwhats the general distance from pitiching mound to home plate. Iam not sure what league we play in. Just trying to get the some what right distance

Base Stealing Strategy: Who Covers Second Base?

QuestionMy daughters U12 teams coaches have their shortstop taking the throws to second on steals.  I was always taught that if a right handed batter

Softball Rules: Bases Loaded, Throw to Third – Was It a Safe Call?

QuestionI was playing catcher in a softball game. The bases were loaded, the ball was hit, and the third baseman fielded it. She tagged her base, then thre

Softball Game Forfeit: Understanding Player Eligibility and Rules

QuestionWe had a recent incident where our team was short of a full team for our softball game at the start.  We had 9 players, but not 10, so our coa

Diagnosing and Correcting a Baseball Pitching Issue in a 12-Year-Old

Questionhi my daughter has been having a problem with droping her shoulder and her hand looks like a rise ball(under on release)she is 12 yrs old and been

Softball Pitching Styles: Windmill vs. Sling-Shot - Which is Best for College?

QuestionOur daughter has been pitching since she was 9 years old.  Her pitching coach started her out with windmill instruction and was going along ju

Effective Performance Goals for Softball Teams: Hitting & Fielding

QuestionI want to utilize performance goal setting with our softball team. Im having difficulty identifying these goals however. The only thing I can think

Sacrifice Bunt Technique for 12U Fastpitch Teams - Expert Coaching Tips

QuestionI am coaching a girls fastpitch travel team at the 12U level.  I have an assistant coach that has a couple of more years experience than me. I

College Softball: Does City League Experience Matter?

QuestionIve been playing for the city of paramount for a long time. I;m a junoir in high school and would like to join a college team.Im either going to po

Umpire Accuracy: Major League vs. Minor League Performance

QuestionDear Mr. Ambrose,    (My previous question dealt with a science fair project in the form of an electronic softball base.)