Infield Fly Rule: Runner Advancement & Tagging Up Explained

QuestionI know the infield fly rule applies when runners are in forced positions on the bags with less than two outs. The ball is live and the batter is ou

Baseball Interference: Protecting Your Daughter's Rights on the Field

QuestionQUESTION: My daughter for two straignt games in a row is playing shortstop fielding a batted ball where a runner from second on her way to third ru

Lightning Safety in Youth Softball: Protecting Your Daughter

QuestionI am a mom of a 12 year old girl playing community fastpitch softball.  Recently there was a game halted due to thunder, but girls were allowe

MLB Rulebook: Runner Out of Baseline - Understanding the Play

QuestionHi, Last weekend we got a runner called out for running out of the baseline.  Our baserunner was on first when the play started.  On a

Baseball Umpiring: Interference vs. Incidental Contact - Expert Analysis

QuestionF4 playing deep, R1 on first.  BR hits a slow ground ball.  F4 charges in and collides with R1 with both in motion.   I called

Legal Pitching Motion: Dropping the Ball Hand and Hip Positioning

QuestionI noticed a lot of pitchers at the begining of their wind-up will drop their ball hand pass there hip and then forward pass there hip again at the

Can a Left-Handed Girl Be a Catcher? Expert Advice & Resources

QuestionI have a 9 year old girl that is left handed. she is determined on being a catcher. can she continue on being a catcher if she is left handed?and i

Softball Scoring: Handling Foul Balls & Base Advancement

Questionin softball when a player catches a foul ball and then steps out of bounds with runners on base, the runners are allowed to move up one base. how d

Understanding ASA Softball Interference Rules: Umpire Involvement

QuestionQUESTION: ASA Interference rule:Interference: The act of any offensive player or team member, UMPIRE or spectator that IMPEDES, HINDERS OR CONFUSES

Baseball Rules: Fair vs. Foul Ball When Ball Hits Bat

QuestionQUESTION: 1)Bat it fair territory, ball hits bat and stays fair, fair ball? 2) Bat it fair territory, ball hits bat and rolls/sttles in foul, foul

Baseball Rule: Batter Interference & Cutting Off a Play

QuestionLast night the following situation occurred during a 14u game: With a runner on 2nd and 1 out, the batter hit the ball cleanly into the outfield.

Baseball Play Analysis: Failed Tag Up & Safe Runner Decision

QuestionRunners are on 1st, 2nd and 3rd.  Batter hits a pop up to left field that is caught.  Runner at second does not tag up and everyone is ye

NFHS Softball Rule Question: Caught with Ball Visible Through Glove - Ruling?

QuestionThis happened last year during our rec league tournament. We won so we dropped the protest. We use NFHS rules where ours dont cover something. Bas

Strategic Lineup Construction & Defensive Player Roles

QuestionI have 12 players.  I am batting 9 batters.  I was thinking of having 4 of the batters share the 8th position - my league makes me bat th

Earned Run Scoring Analysis: Determining Accuracy in Baseball

QuestionQUESTION: Inning transpires as follows: Batter A reached on a drop 3rd strike. Batter B sac bunts; Batter A advanced to second. Batter C struck out

Fair Playing Time in Fast Pitch Softball: A Coach's Perspective

QuestionIn fast pitch softball shouldnt ever one have equal playing time? There is 14 girls on the team but some will only play 1 to 3 innings a game if th

ASA Softball Rules: Are Batting Donuts Permitted?

QuestionAre batting donuts legal for the on-deck batter in ASA in 2011? AnswerHi Kevin, Thank you for your question.  No, batting donuts are not lega

Softball Double Play Interference: Runner's Responsibilities & Rules

QuestionContext: Church League Slow Pitch Softball Scenario: Runner at first, ball hit to short stop.  Short stop tags second way ahead of the runner

Base Running Obstruction in Fastpitch: A Coach's Guide

QuestionHi Dr. Ambrose,  I am coaching a 12U girls fastpitch team and I am not sure how to handle when the other teams players are standing in the wa

Correcting Pivot Foot Mechanics in Gymnastics & Field Sports

QuestionMy daughter has been pitching in the gym during the winter months and has been taught to push off hard from the board with her pivot foot and explo