Handling Post-Game Protests in Church League Baseball: A Guide

QuestionDear Dr. Mark, Our Church league team won in extra innings recently, only to find out that the other TEAM protested a call on the field.  The

Softball for Beginners: Freshman Year Prep - Equipment, Clothing & Tips

QuestionWell i never really played softball. I have played baseball with some friends but never on a real team. I have always wanted to play on a team but

Home Plate Rule Confusion: Was a Runner Out Correctly?

Questionin a recent game we had a girl going to home, she missed the plate and upon entering the dugout was declared out by the home plate umpire even thou

Softball Rule: Runner Hit in Fair Territory - Ball Dead, Base Awarded

QuestionIn ASA slow pitch softball, what if the runner is hit in fair territory while standing on first or third (even if the first or third baseman, respe

Slowpitch Softball Rule: Illegal Lineup - ASA Rules & Forfeit

QuestionQUESTION: Womens slowpitch tourny. ASA rules, a team has 12 gals down in book to bat, this is ok per their league rules. Starting from the first in

ASA Softball Team FAQs: Pitching, Tryouts & Fees

Question1)Do pitchers for an ASA team need to be getting lessons from  a private instructor, or can they be home taught? 2) Do all players need to tr

Slap Bunt vs. Drag Bunt: Understanding the Rules & Strategies

QuestionWhat constitutes a slap vs a drag bunt? The situation was this...Left handed batter with 2 strikes. Batter moves hands apart (as if bunting) and ba

MLB Umpire Ruling Controversy: Was the Runner Out or Safe?

QuestionThere is a runner on 3rd with 1 out.  The batter hits a fly ball to center field which is caught.  The runner stayed on the base until th

Intramural Baseball Rule: Does a Runner Score on a Force Out at First?

QuestionI coach a squadron intramural team in the Air Force. We play by ASA rules. Heres the situation: Bases loaded, no outs. The ball is hit to the SS, t

Baseball Forfeit Scenario Analysis: Roster vs. Lineup Implications

QuestionMark, wouldnt/couldnt this also be unreported substitue. Like previous question I asked you about? I assume when Brandon wrote that pitcher was not

Bunt Rule in Baseball: Ball Hits Bat - Play Analysis

QuestionWhat is the call in these 2 scenarios (scenario A happened last evening in the finals of a playoff game in Delaware Cty Pa). The batters bunts a ba

ASA Softball Umpire Rule: Runner Avoiding Tag & Home Plate Contact

QuestionRunner on 1st and 3rd with 1 out.  Batter hits a ground ball to the third baseman - runner on third runs home on contact.  Third baseman

Fastpitch Softball: Illegal Batting Order & Run Review

QuestionQUESTION: ASA Fastpitch - R1 on 3B, R2 on 1B and B4 batting with no outs. First pitch: R2 steals 2B and R1 scores. Second pitch: B4 grounds out to

Base Running Rules: Runner Avoiding Catcher & Safe/Out Situations

Questionthis pertains to the question previously answered july 30 ie Runner on 1st and 3rd with 1 out.  Batter hits a ground ball to the third baseman

Coed Softball Lineup Strategy: Handling Injuries & Player Replacements

QuestionQUESTION: I had my 2nd baseman (female) injured on a side play at second. We submitted the batting line up with 12 coed players. Once our second ba

Softball Umpires: Correct Tagging Procedures & Common Scenarios

QuestionHi Mark, I am volunteering as an umpire in a coed softball league. I am not certified. I guess you could say its on the job training. My questions

Coed Softball Injury Ruling: Batting Lineup & Player Replacement

QuestionI had my 2nd baseman (female) injured on a side play at second. We submitted the batting line up with 12 coed players. Once our second baseman got

Infield Fly Rule: When Should an Umpire Call It?

QuestionQUESTION: we had a game today and had runners at 1st and 2nd ball was a looper over the pitchers reach and chest high on ss when he had it directly

Softball Rules: Understanding Tag Outs and Batter Rights After Dropped Third Strike

Question1)  runner gets single and instead of turning to her right and staying in foul territory, turns LEFT and returns to 1st.  She is tagged o

Slowpitch Softball Rule: Can Runners Advance on a Walk?

Questionthe ball on a walk. we had a runner on 1st and 2nd and i was up to bat, and i walked.. as i was walking to 1st the catcher threw it over the pitche