Softball vs. Baseball Catcher's Mitt: What's the Difference?

QuestionIs there a difference between a baseball catchers mitt and softball?  My daughter fell in love with one that is labeled for baseball.  Sh

Foul vs. Fair Balls: Understanding the Rules

QuestionIf a player is in fair territory and touches a ball inches in foul territory, is it a fair or foul ball, if it goes foul after he touches it. Answ

Softball Base Stealing Rules: When Can a Runner Advance?

QuestionDr. Ambrose, I am not new to the game of softball, but need some clarification on when a runner can leave the base in an attempt to steal.  I

Illegal Bats in Baseball: Understanding Umpire Decisions and Game Replays

QuestionWe had a game last night and the other team claimed our player hit a home run with an illegal bat.  There were two umpires who looked at the b

EP Rules: Player Substitutions in Co-ed Softball

QuestionIf I use the EP, can I substitute players on defense? AnswerEven though this isnt a fast pitch question, the EP works the same.  Simply put y

Baseball Rule Question: Illegal Tagging & Appeal

QuestionQUESTION: We had a runner on the way to third with 2 outs.  The 3rd baseman was off the bag to field the ball.  Since there was no one on

Bat Rule Violations: Penalties for Illegal and Altered Bats

QuestionQUESTION: Illegal bat is one to long or too heavy, yes? Altered (painted.shaved, etc.) and non-approved bats(bat on non approved ASA list) penalty

Pitcher's Foot Position: Rules & Allowed Steps in Fastpitch

QuestionIt is my understanding that a high school fast pitch pitcher does not need to have both feet touching the pitchers plate. At what point is she allo

Softball Fair Ball Call: Was it Correct?

QuestionMy brother plays softball on a 2a special olympic softball team.  They lost a game yesterday on what I feel was a bad call.  A batter for

ASA Slow Pitch League Roster Rules: Batting Lineup & Player Limits

QuestionThe league we play in says we go by asa rules.  They say when making the line up you must bat 10 players or all of them if you have like 14 pl

Batter's Rights When Pitching Ball Hits the Ground - MLB Rules Explained

QuestionIf a pitcher pitches a ball that hits the ground and then bounces up and hits the batter is the batter entitled to take a base?  I thought tha

Baseball Interference: Bat Contact on Fair Ground - Safe or Out?

QuestionSituation - the batter swings at the ball which turns out to be slow roller towards first base.  As the batter runs towards first, she lays th

Baseball Error Definition: When is a Play an Error?

QuestionIf the second baseman goes to their right to backhand a hard hit ball going up the middle and the ball hits their glove and bounces out, leaving no

Timeout Rules in Slow Pitch Softball: Who Can Call It?

QuestionThe ump we had last night was letting the other team raise the ball in the air and call timeout as soon as they got the ball into the infield. They

Base Running Rules: Stealing Home While Pitcher is in the Circle

QuestionQUESTION: At last nights game during fall ball, there was a conflict of view point. third base runner stole home, while the pitcher was in her circ

Baseball: Is a Runner Out if Hit by a Fair Ball?

QuestionMy player was running from 1st to 2nd and was hit by a hit ball. She was running and didnt see the hit so couldnt attempt to get out of the way. Is

Little League Softball Rule Question: Runner Hit After Ball Caught

QuestionHi Dr. Ambrose, I may have wrongly called a runner out today in a Little League Softball game at the Junior level. A runner on 2nd was trying to st

Softball Rules: Runner Hit by Thrown Ball - Is It an Out?

QuestionHi: I have a simple question regarding Girls Softball ages 9 - 13 y/o.  If a thrown ball hits a runner running to the next base, is that runne

Baseball Obstruction: Batter's Rights & Catcher's Responsibility

QuestionCatcher misses a pitched ball and the batter steps out of box because the runner at third is coming home...the catcher goes behind the batter and m

Baseball Force Out Play: Runner Out or Safe?

Questionmen on first and second.....one out...groundball to third...ball bobbled into foul territory...thirdbaseman picks it up in plenty of time to make