Triple Play?

QuestionTom,    My daughter plays 12 and under fast pitch softball.  She plays at the shortstop position.  With a runner on third

Hit vs Defensive Indifference

QuestionTom If a batter bunts or hits a ground ball and the fielder tries to make a play at the lead runner without success, can the batter be credited wit

Pitch signals

QuestionDr. Ambrose League: ASA 12u fast pitch Is there a rule that covers calling the type of pitch to the pitcher from the coach before the pitch. &nb

Home Plate -- Obstruction

QuestionI am a first year coach of a U12 team. I had a girl running home from 3rd base on a wild pitch.  The catcher threw the ball to the pitcher wh

Basepath Call

QuestionSituation:  I was the base umpire on a 2 man crew.  One out with a runner on first.  Modified league rules allow for the batter and

Dropped bat touches fair ball

QuestionFastpitch softball:  The batter bunts the ball fair.  She drops her bat to run to first.  The bat hits the ball on the ground; the b

wild pitches

QuestionIf a pitchers is throwing alot of wild pitches and she already hit at least one player, is there anything that the umpire or opposing coach can do?

Presenting the ball-fastpitch ASA rules

QuestionDo both feet have to be in contact with the pitchers plate when presenting the ball? AnswerKind of.  There is no mention of Presenting the ba

Force play or Tag play?

QuestionMiddle School softball, bases loaded, less than 2 outs. Sharp ground ball to first base, fielded by first baseman. She steps on first to retire the

Bunting, Interferrence and Stealing

Question1st, If a batter squares off to bunt but does not bring the bat back to take a pitch, would that be a strike? On a past ball, a runner scores, but

illegal pitch in girls fastpitch

QuestionI know there is no balk in girls fastpitch.  First, what is the result of an illegal pitch with and without runners on base?  Secondly, i

rules

QuestionHi I am new to this sport, having grown up in Europe. My daughter is interested in joining a fastball team. What is the difference between baseball

DP/Flex

QuestionHi Dr. Mark - I enjoy reading your past answers and use them as a personal trivia game to test my knowledge!  My question pertains to the eve

ASA Girls Fastpitch - 1B-man blocking 1B

QuestionAfter the batter hits the ball, a throw to 1B ends up pulling the first baseman into the runners path.  The first baseman is blocking both the

ASA mens stealing

QuestionA ball is pitched with a runner on second, after the ball crosses the plate, the runner on second walks towards third. The catcher throws the ball

Rule Clarification

QuestionASA Rules (1) Bases were loaded and a fly ball hit to left field.  Left fielder bobbles ball a little then catches the ball before it hits th

2nd baseman

QuestionDoes a 2nd baseman have the right to take up the position of standing right in the baseline as her permanent position in an inning so if the opposi

Batter Interference?

QuestionThis happened during a HS Varsity softball game - Runner on 3rd, the pitch comes in and bounces off the catchers glove to their left.  The cat

NFHS Softball Umpire Mechanics

QuestionWe are having a debate about an umpire mechanic in NFHS softball.   If the batter-runner or baserunner runs close to a fielder making a p

Official scoring - strikeout

QuestionMy question concerns a strikeout and the runner reaching first base. There is a runner on second base. The pitcher throws a pitch that the batter s