Understanding the Rule: Runner on Third After a Walk

QuestionI recently had a scenario where I had a runner on third and the batter walked. Before the batter reached first, I had the runner on third off base

Softball Rule Inquiry: Safe Runner Contact with Catcher

QuestionI been involved in softball for many years and have never seen this happen. I can not find any rule references to what happened and I want to know

Softball Force Out Rules: Runner on First & Grounder to First Base

QuestionHello, I was wondering if a runner on first has to leave the base if the hitter hits a grounder to first. We play in an adult softball league and

ASA Softball Player Eligibility Rules: Understanding 'Pick-Up' Player Regulations

QuestionI see a lot of softball discussion sites seeking pick up players for national ASA tournaments.  My daughter was asked to be a pick-up player l

Infield Fly Rule: Who Calls It and How?

QuestionRunners on First and second no out. Ball is clearly a foul ball between third and Home. My catcher and 3rd base go after pop up until the home plat

Baseball Umpire Error: 2-2 Count and Subsequent Controversy

QuestionHeres the situation: Our pitcher requested the count from the umpire, who then put up his fingers and stated aloud that the count was 2-2.  T

Softball Rule: Bases Loaded, 1 Out - Tagging and Foot on Base

QuestionThis is the type of play that seems only to happen at the younger age groups. Bases loaded 1 out.  Ground ball is hit to short near second ba

Softball Coaching Rules: How Close Can Coaches Get to the Field?

QuestionHow far out of the coaches box can a first base coach go?  This involved a 14U girls softball game, (in a tournament).  The situation was

Baseball Rule: Overthrow and Missing a Base - Analysis & Explanation

QuestionDear Dr. Mark, The question I have comes from an answer you gave a while back with an additional circumstance.   Your answer, Lets put this

Baseball Play Analysis: Interference & Unsportsmanlike Conduct

QuestionR1 is on first base , B1 pops up to first base, but does not run to first. The First baseman lets the ball drop in front of him forcing R1 to go to

Softball Game Result: Who Wins When Weather Intervenes?

QuestionThis is for a co-ed slow pitch softball game in a recreational league. Team A and Team B are allowed to play up to 7 innings but a minimum of 5 inn

NFHS Rules on Sliding: Base Running & Fielder Contact

QuestionQUESTION: Where is the rule (NFHS) that requires a base runner to slide if the defensive player at the base or plate has possession of the ball. &n

Understanding the 'Travesty of the Game' Rule in Baseball

QuestionWhat constitutes travesty of the game? We recently had a runner called out under this rule. Situation: R1 and R2, no outs. Batter hits to the sho

Baseball Game Incident: Time Call Controversy & Umpire Decision

QuestionBottom of 7th, home team starts inning 3 runs behind. Home team scores a run and has no outs with runners on 1st and 2nd. As pitcher starts to pitc

Baseball Rule Question: Forced Runner & Tag at First Base - Is It Safe?

QuestionSituation: Runner on first, one out. Batter hits hard ground ball directly to first baseman. Runner stays on first base to dodge the ball. First ba

Fast Pitch Baseball: Understanding Pick-Off Plays at First Base & Base Interference

QuestionASA fast pitch - Here was the situation - pick-off play at first base. The second baseman comes in behind the runner and places her foot on the gro

Understanding Runner Interference in 16U Softball Games

QuestionIn a 16U game today we had a call that confused everyone. We had runners on 2nd and third. A ground ball was hit to the shortstop. She fielded the

Line Drive Strategy in Slow Pitch: Legal or Unsportsmanlike?

QuestionI recently played in an adult slow pitch coed game where twice the opposing team allowed a line drive to hit there glove just long enough to stop i

Analyzing Unseen Actions in Baseball: Runner-Infielder Interaction

Questionsituation, double play been made, runner slides to second, second baseman behind bag and is not taken out and completed the double play.  Afte

Advanced 2nd Base Fielding Technique: Defensive Obstruction Explained

QuestionI play 2nd base in a mens ASA recreational league.  We have a player on our team who played college baseball once upon a time many moons ago.