Occupied Base Rule: Dropped 3rd Strike & Base Status

QuestionWhat constitutes an occupied first base on a dropped 3rd strike?   When there is a runner on first base and a 3rd strike is dropped, the runne

Softball Rule: Runner's Advance on Fly Ball - Correctness Analysis

QuestionI have not found the answer to this in the rules. I play in slow pitch mens league softball (ASA). we had a guy on first and a fly ball to LF. as s

Softball Interference & Obstruction Rules: Understanding Calls

QuestionHi, Thanks for the help.  Great info. 3 Questions, all from our game last night - that we won. 1.  Runner on Second, ground ball to SS. &

Fair vs. Foul Ball: Understanding Hits Down the Line

QuestionCan you help me clarify a fair/foulball hit down the line? Is it fair if a hit ball travels in fair territory to first base then curves foul?  

Force Play Rule in Baseball: Understanding Runner Advancement & Umpire Decisions

QuestionDuring my daughters game last night, the other team had a runner on first base. The ball was put in play in the infield, and the runner hesitated f

Infield Popfly Rule Explained: Can Runners Advance?

Questionif the batter hits a infield popfly the runners cannot advance right because its a dead ball if they leave the cant be called out can they its a de

Batter's Interference & Rule Interpretation in Baseball

QuestionHad an interesting one today.  Runner on second, batter foul tips the pitch (caught by the catcher).  Runner steals third, and the catche

Softball Rules: Common Questions & Answers

QuestionQuestion #1 a bunted ball lands on top of home plate, is it a fair or fould ball Question 2 A temporary fence is put up which if the balls goes ud

ASA Umpire Certification & Handling Challenging Situations

QuestionI am working on getting certified as an ASA umpire because the last 3 years I have volunteered to umpire local Softball games. This last game I did

Baseball Rule: When Must a Runner Tag Up After a Pop Fly?

QuestionCan a runner leave on first touch of a bobble ball(hit in the air) and be safe even if its still caught? Do they have to tag up if someone else(bes

Softball Umpire Call Controversy: Analyzing a Close Play

QuestionQUESTION: Recently my 14U team entered a softball tournament, played their first game against a tough team score 1-0 us in the final inning, we nee

Baseball: Base Award After an Out on a Throw

QuestionI would like to know if the runner is headed to first and the over throw occures, but the runner has not aquired first yet, do they get third or se

Baseball & Softball: Foul Ball to Fair - Understanding the Rule

QuestionQUESTION: I think this would pertain to all baseball and softball. A ball that lands foul initially in front of 1st and 3rd base but ends up in fai

U-12 Baseball Play: Dropped Third Strike & Advancing Runners - Explanation

QuestionU-12 game....1 out bases loaded. BR called 3rd sttike dropped runs to 1st...catcher follows her down first base line and throws to first.... runner

Infield Fly Rule Confusion: Analyzing a Controversial Double Play

Question0 outs. runners on 1st and 2nd.  Lazy one hopper to second baseman turns into 4-6-3 double play. Runner on second advances to 3rd base.  

ASA Emergency Rule: Re-entering a Substitute Player in 16U Fastpitch

QuestionDuring the game the visiting team has one substitute player who enters the game in the 4th for the first batter in the lineup; later the teams catc

Understanding Ejections in Softball: A Fielders Choice Scenario

QuestionMy daughters 16U ASA team recently had a player ejected and it prompted me to ask this question:  Runner on first, no outs.  Batter hits

Understanding Illegal Pitches & Penalties in ASA Slow Pitch Softball

Questionwhat constitutes an illegal pitch in asa slow pitch softball?  what are the penalties enforced on an illegal pitch? AnswerHi John, In SP an

Understanding the Correct Fastpitch Softball Pitching Motion for Junior League

QuestionI am a little league junior division (13 - 14) softball coach for Clintondale Fraser Little League in Michigan.  We are supposed to play by hi

Softball Base Running Rules: Understanding Leads and Forces

QuestionI have been a manager in a central park modified/fast pitch softball league for the last four or so seasons.  Ever since inception in this lea