Softball Umpire Call Controversy: Was It Obstructing?

QuestionIn a 15-U girls fastpitch softball game tonight we had a very controversial call made by the umpire and I want to know if the umpire was right or n

Understanding Obstruction Calls in ASA Fastpitch - Runner Behavior

QuestionDuring a tournament game last weekend in an ASA 12U fastpitch game, we had an umpire properly call an obstruction on my second baseman.  Howev

Understanding ASA Rules: Voluntary Release and Force Outs in Fastpitch

QuestionDuring a 12U fastpitch tournament last weekend (ASA), our team was in the field, and the hitting team had bases loaded.  The hitter hit the ba

12U Softball: Understanding Batter Rights on Walks & Base Advancement

QuestionI have a few questions to get clarification on. Each game it seems that there is an issue with these situations and each umpire has ruled different

MLB Rule: Bases Loaded, Runner Hit, Ball Out of Play - Explanation

QuestionQUESTION: So, I was playing 3rd base, the other team had the bases loaded with one out. Their batter hit a grounder down the baseline and before ge

10U Softball Playoff Play: Rule Question - Batter Safe or Out?

QuestionDuring a girls 10U play-off game in extra-innings, the batter hits the ball, past the infield and past left center fielder.  The batter, watch

MLB Rule Clarification: Substituting for a Disabled Player

QuestionWe recently played a team that had a player who played both offense and defense the whole game. In the bottom of the seventh he got to second and t

Unethical Pitching Tactics: Reporting a Sticky Towel Incident in Fastpitch

QuestionHello Dr. Ambrose, My name is Derek Volk and I am the U10 Manager for a girl抯 fastpitch team in Maine called the Southern Maine Flame.  We co

Flex Substitution Rule: First Baseman & Base Contact

QuestionQUESTION: The first baseman fielded a ball and on her way to beat the runner the 1B jumped on the base and hit both the white and ornage in advance

Understanding Runner Interference Calls in Youth Baseball: A Situation Analysis

QuestionHi, Here is what occured. Runner on third - two outs - (10U) pop fly (FOUL BALL) hit down third base area - but foul. Runner just runs (becauase th

Understanding DP/Flex Substitutions in Fastpitch - Rules & Limits

QuestionASA youth fastpitch question... the DP can play defense for anyone on the field. If the DP plays defense for the Flex, it needs to be reported to t

Understanding the Out of Play Rule in Baseball

QuestionThe field we were playing on only had a HR fence and the out of play area was chalked about twenty feet past the foul lines.  Our team was in

Softball Diving Plays: Out of Play Catch Rule Explained

QuestionQUESTION: if a player dives for a foul ball that is out of play, but his feet leave the ground from in play, makes the catch before touching the gr

Softball Rules: Tagging Up & Scoring with Runners on Base

QuestionThere is 1 out in the inning and R1 is on third and R2 is on second, B1 hit a fly ball to the outfield. F8 makes the catch for out number 2 and thr

Baseball Rule: Coach Contacting Runner on Third Base

QuestionWhat does the rule specify concerning a runner rounding third and being touched by a coach? AnswerHi Tony, Unless the coach aided the runner I ha

Softball Double Play & Run Scoring: Understanding Timing Plays

QuestionONE OUT. RUNNERS ON FIRST AND THIRD. BATTER FLYS OUT TO RIGHT. RUNNER FROM THIRD TAGS AND SCORES BEFORE RUNNER ON FIRST WHO FAILS TO TAG IS THROWN

Fastpitch Softball: Understanding Ball Presentation Rules (ASA)

QuestionMy daughter plays 12U fastpitch softball.  They follow ASA rules.  In two separate games the coach of the opposing team complained that s

Softball Interference: Runner's Rights After Missed Ball?

QuestionA baserunner is on second. The ball is hit, and the fielder does not field it cleanly and the ball goes off her glove. As she is chasing down the m

Determining Pitch Height: 12ft Ceiling Guidelines for Umpires

QuestionDo you have some way to determine wheter a pitch is above or below the 12 ft celing. I get a lot of what I would call border line pitches during th

Fast Pitch Baseball: When is a Ball Dead?

QuestionDr. The pitcher has the ball in the 8 foot circle, but hasnt put her feet on the rubber yet.  When is the ball considered dead and the runners