Understanding Illegal Pitches in ASA Softball: A Referee's Guide

QuestionQUESTION: Mark, I had an asa playoff game that I had where I called Illegal Pitches as soon as I saw they were illegal pitches.  Most of them

ASA Baseball Rules: Legal Pitcher Substitutions & Re-entries

QuestionMark, I am the commissioner of a Recreational coed league.  We play under ASA rules.  Scenario is Championship game of single elimination

Understanding 'Lead Off' Calls in Fastpitch Softball: Rule Explanation

QuestionHi Mark - Please help?  Last night we were playing ladies fastball and the base umpire called me out and stated lead off.  I paused to as

Handling Illegal Player Entry & Re-entry in Baseball Games

QuestionThe opposite team at the beginning of a game entered a line-up sheet with a DP on the tenth position. The umpire accepted this line-up sheet and ga

Understanding the Strike Zone and Batter's Box in Slow Pitch Softball

QuestionHi Dr. Mark, another question regarding strike zone for you!  I pitch in ASA Mens Slow Pitch league, I understand the stike zone as it is writ

Co-Ed Softball Batting Rules: Understanding Player Ratios

QuestionI am a umpire for Co Ed sofbal, I was umpring a game where a team had 6 men and 5 women the question is they can bat more men than women just cant

ASA Baseball Rule: Dead Ball & Foul Pop in Coed League

QuestionHello I am in a coed league in CT and we adhere to asa rules. My team (visitor) was winning by one run in the bottom of the seventh inning. The oth

Consequences of Illegal Substitutions in ASA/NSA Sports

QuestionASA/NSA Rules What is the penalty for an illegal sub both on offense and defense. What is the penalty for an unreported sub on offense or defense.

Softball Rules: Legitimate Catch & Tagging Up

QuestionScenario:  There are men on bases. There was a fly ball to left field.  The ball went into the left fielders glove, popped back out and w

Fastpitch Softball: Stealing Second Base After a Walk - Rules Explained

QuestionQUESTION: my daughter plays 12u fastpitch, and last week we had a call that was questionable. we know that a runner can steal 2nd base after a walk

Improve Softball Fastpitch Release Point: Expert Advice & Tools

QuestionQUESTION: My daughter has been going to a good pitching coach for about 7 months now. She is 12 and been clocked at around 53-55 range. My problem

Softball Pitching Advice & Personalized Coaching - Expert Q&A

QuestionI am the guy who asked you all the questions regarding my daughter pitching to high. Would it be possible to give you my email address so I may con

Slow-Pitch Baseball: Run Scoring on Plays Near the Pitcher – Umpire/Scorer Dispute

QuestionThis is an ongoing debate between myself (scorer) and an ASAA umpire. Heres the situation: Runners on 1st and third, two outs, in a mens slow-pitch

Courtesy Runners in Softball: Umpire Rules and Best Practices

QuestionI have worked this past year in a spring softball league and now in a shortened fall league. Both are run by the same city sports organization. The

Improve Pitching Speed: Lower Body Power & Technique for Young Pitchers

QuestionQUESTION: Hi. Im wondering what your opinion is on ways to improve pitching speed. My daughter is in her 2nd year of pitching, and she has good mec

MLB Base Running Rules: Early Leaving & Force Plays Explained

QuestionPrevious answer: I assume F4 caught a fly ball or line drive.  If F3 gains possession of the ball and touches the bag before R1 can return, w

Softball Rules: Triple, Appeal & Scoring - Expert Umpire Analysis

QuestionWe play for fun with experienced players from other teams as umps.  Please tell me how this play should have been called.    

MLB Rule: Rounding First Base & Drawing a Throw - Is it Legal?

Questionif a player rounds first with a runner on third and stops and changes directions between first and second in an attempt to draw a throw to score a

How to Become a Softball Umpire: A Step-by-Step Guide

Questionhow do you become a ump Answeryou should go to your local softball group. like where young kids play and ask the board members. you have to go to

Softball Rundown Strategy: Handling Runner Direction Changes

QuestionQUESTION: Question.  What is the best way to handle a run down when the runner changes direction.  How do the players rotate around the r