Understanding Foul Ball Rules: When a Weak Hit is Fair

QuestionLast evening one of our players hit a weak ball that essentially died a few feet in front of home plate - clearly in fair territory. As the cathche

Softball Game Interruption: Resumption Rules After Rain

QuestionIn a nine inning softball game if it rains in the third inning and play cannot continue. When the game is rescheduled. Where does it start from, th

Baseball Injury Rule: Batting Lineup Adjustments & Extra Players

QuestionMy question is this: What is the rule when you have eleven players batting 1 is the EH. One of the players gets hurt so now we are only batting 10

ASA Baseball Rule: Awarding Bases on Errors & Fence Plays

QuestionHi Dr. Ambrose, Playing in D level ASA Modified league, batter hit ball for single to Left Center. Rounded first to go to 2B, then saw SS had cut

First Baseman Obstruction Rule: Understanding the Play

QuestionQUESTION: Runners on 1st & 2nd with no outs.  Batter hits a base hit to RF.  Ball gets slightly by F9 (no play at 1B).  As the batte

Switch Hitting for Young Baseball Players: Is Your 9-Year-Old Ready?

QuestionI have a righty 9 yo daughter who I consider a very good right handed power hitter. She can also hit left handed... but just not as well since weve

Understanding Fastpitch Tournament Team Divisions (A vs. B)

QuestionI am very new to fastpitch tournament and travel teams. My daughter just started playing 10u. Is there an official guideline on A team and B Team t

ASA Softball Rules: Lights Out During Play - Winning Run Situation

QuestionI play in an over 50 slow pitch softball league in Northern New Jersey and we follow the ASA rules.  I have never seen this situation before i

Illegal Bat Use in Baseball Tournament: Rule Clarification & Action

Questionwe are currently in tournament . the other team was using an illegal bat for hitting . they scored 3 runs on this hit . she was not called out only

Understanding Pinch Hitting Rules in ASA League Baseball

Questionin a local asa league, teams can elect to bat everyone present and have free substitutions in the field, or bat only 10 and have direct 1 for 1 sub

Baseball Rules: Stepping Out of the Box & Strike Calls

QuestionLast night, I had a full count and stepped out of the box and the pitcher pitched the ball and the umpire called strike three. I complained that I

Fastpitch Pitching Speed & Accuracy for 10 & Under: A Parent's Guide

QuestionMy daughter is nine years old and just tried out for her first time for an ASA 10 and under team.  She has never had a pitching coach, and ave

Understanding the ASA Mercy Rule: When Does a Game End?

QuestionQUESTION: My question has to do with applying the ASA mercy rule.  We were involved with a game utilizing the standard mercy rule (15 after 3,

Intentional Walks in Slowpitch ASA: Tie Game Scenario - Umpire Guidance

QuestionQUESTION: Hi sir.  Im an ASA certified ump, and LOVE just browsing your answers as a refresher for a lot of situations, and how to handle them

Crow Hopping in Fastpitch: Understanding Legal Pitching Mechanics

QuestionWhat is crow footing or crow hopping, we have a pitcher on our 10U team that has been accused of this practice.  Do both feet have to stay on

ASA vs. NFHS Baseball Rules: Key Differences for 12U Tournaments

QuestionI normaly play in a league that uses primarily NFHS rules with a variations based on age groups and local preference.  I am planning to attend

Lightning Safety: UIC & Tournament Director Responsibilities

QuestionDr. Mark, When it comes to the halting and re-starting of play due to lightning/thunder what are the duties and responsibilities of the UIC and th

Slow Pitch Softball: Strike or Ball Rule Explained

Questionslow pitch, legal pitched ball(delivery and height) hits the back black frame of the plate. Does not hit any white on the plate. Strike or ball An

Baseball Rosin Bag Regulations & Pitcher Interference

QuestionQUESTION: I was recently coaching in an ASA National Tourney and had an interesting thing happen. The first thing was the field ump made my pitcher

Foul Tip Rule in Softball: ASA vs. Slowpitch (FP)

QuestionDoes the rule about the foul tips not going over the head of the batter apply for slowpitch as well. AnswerHi jeff, In ASA play in all games of s