Baseball Play: Pitcher's Throw Hits Runner & Interference Call

QuestionLast night a call was made that Im not certain was correct.  Heres what happened.  There was a runner on second.  The batter hit the

Best Fastpitch Bats for Power and Comfort | Illinois

QuestionHello. We have talked before reguarding my daughters pitching, but now i would like to find out about bats. I have researched bats online like CRAZ

Understanding the Catcher's Box in Baseball

QuestionIs there such a thing as the catchers box, and if so where is it? In a recent game I was involved in as the catcher I was accused of grounding my m

Umpiring Dilemma: Handling Coach Conferences During a Game

QuestionI was umpiring a local league game and ran into a situation.  The defensive team coach called time to visit with his pitcher twice in one inni

Is Crow Hopping Legal in Slowpitch Softball? ASA Rules Explained

QuestionI am a pitcher in a coed slowpitch league governed by ASA rules. We have a batter in the league who has begun to crow hop into pitches. Is this leg

Baseball Interference Ruling: Analyzing a Close Play

QuestionI just had an extremely odd play and I dont know what the ruling should have been.  Heres the situation:  High pop up in the infield (and

Baseball Dead Ball Ruling: Runner Advancement & Interference Analysis

QuestionSituation: (ASA 14U) R1 on 3B, R2 on 2B, R1 on 1B 1 out.  Batter hits a single to F9. R1 scores and R2 attempts to score.  After scoring,

Understanding the ASA Strike Zone: Umpire Guidelines and Consistency

QuestionIn an ASA game this past weekend, a batter did not swing at a pitch that landed an inch or two behind home plate. The umpire stated that the pitch

Appeals in Baseball: Do Runs Count on Early Base Abandonment?

Questionsituation: 1 out, runners at second and third. Fly ball caught for out # 2. Runners advance safely to third and home. An appeal is made that the r

Identifying Bunts vs. Slap Swings in Baseball: A Definitive Guide

Questionhow can you identify if a slap swing with 2 strikes is a bunt or a swing AnswerASA defines the bunt as A pitched ball that is intentionally tapped

MLB Rules: Catcher Hits Batter/Runner on Throw to Third Base - Interference or No Play?

QuestionHello Mark, What is the proper ruling if a catcher in the act of trying to get the third base runner out hits the batter while throwing to third

Softball Base Running Rule: Walk & Rounding First - Is It Safe?

Questionmajor divison softball girls....we have 1 out,runner on third base,the batter walks and runs hard to first and rounds first to go to second (withou

Understanding the Baseball Fielding Choice: A Comprehensive Guide

Questionwhat is a fielders choice? I hear people say stuff like its a fielders choice but i dont know what that is! AnswerA fielders choice is scored when

Softball Rules: Can an Outfielder Throw Their Glove at a Hit Ball?

QuestionI was playing softball last night and a outfielder threw his glove at the ball I hit. What is the rule for throwing your glove at a softball in the

Softball Bunt Defense: Shortstop & Second Base Positioning

QuestionIf a batter chooses to bunt it, and third base and first run up, where does short stop and secon base go? AnswerCaitlin, I started writing a big

Stealing in Softball: ASA Rules & Intentional Walks

QuestionSir, I have a question on stealing.  I am an official in Okinawa using ASA rules for Adult Mens Slowpitch Softball.  I had a situation ov

Coaching Conflicts: Can I Coach My Daughter & JV Players in Michigan Softball?

QuestionIm a high school softball jv coach. My daughter is a freshman this year and will be on the jv team as one of the pitchers.  I also give pitchi

Optimal Pitching Speed & Pitch Count for 11-Year-Olds: A Guide

QuestionCan you tell me the average speed an 11 year old should be pitching? And also, how many pitches she should be working on at this age? AnswerAn ele

Infield Fly Rule & Tagging Up: Runner's Liability

QuestionMy question is, infield fly is in effect, batter hits fly ball in infield and umpire calls infield fly, the runner occupying 2nd base takes a short

Impact of New ASA Rule on Anderson Fastpitch Bats

QuestionHow is this rule going to affect Anderson bats.  These bats wave very easily and seem to get hotter when they do.  The waves or dents, de