Batting First vs. Last in High School Baseball: Strategy & Advantages

QuestionThank you for you response.  Although I thought the same thing, I needed to hear it from someone more with knowledge on this subject.  My

USSSA Pitching Visits & Charged Conferences Rules

Questionhow many timeouts,or pitching visits are allowed per inning? if available according to ussa AnswerThe defense is allowed three charged conferences

Curveball Training for Young Softball Pitchers: Age Guidelines & Safety

QuestionMy daughter is a 10 year old pitcher who wants to start learning how to throw curveballs and other new pitches.  My concern is that she may be

MLB Interference Ruling: Coach in the Box & Batter's Outcome

QuestionQUESTION: Hey, Im am trying to find out clarification on a ruling for interference.  During a foul pop up if the defensive player runs into

Baseball Play Analysis: Is Runner 1 Out?

QuestionRunners on first (R1) and third (R3) with no outs. After the pitch leaves the pitchers hand, R1 leaves first base in a direct line to the edge of

USFA Baseball Rules: Basepath Tagging & Running Out of Basepath - Rule Clarification

QuestionUSFA Rules are silent on this situation. 1 out, R-1 on 2nd base. Batter hits 3-hopper to F3, who was playing in for possible bunt. BR starts runnin

Verbal Obstruction in Softball: A Coach's Experience & Insights

QuestionDr. Mark,   I really enjoyed your response to the pitcher抯 verbal obstruction asked by a previous questioner, as I feel strongly along the sam

Navigating Fastpitch Pitching Rules: A Coach's Guide

QuestionI am a volunteer coach for a recreation league which is suppose to follow HS regulations for fastpitch.  I am playing a team this Wednesday (1

NSA Extra Player Rule: Lineup & Substitution Guidelines

QuestionI know this is an NSA question, I can not even begin to figure out the DP/Flex ASA Rules. We are currently playing with a roster of 10 girls. I nee

Hit By Pitch Limits in High School Softball: What You Need to Know

QuestionIs there a limit on how many girls a pitcher can hit in a game?  The opposing pitcher hit 7 of our batters tonight and really hurt 2 of them

ASA Fastpitch Rule Clarification: FLEX Player Batting Eligibility

QuestionThis question pertains to ASA 14U Fastpitch. At the beginning of a game, if a designated player (DP) is listed as a batter and FLEX player is list

Umpiring Question: Trail Runner Rule in Slow Pitch Softball

QuestionThis happen in about my second year of umpiring. Never had a definite answer. Book says that a runner has to physically pass the runner in front of

Baseball Umpire Authority: Overthrows, Base Awards & Pitching Rules

Questionif an infielder catches a ball in the outfield and then overthrows a ball attempting to throw a runner out, are the runners awarded one base or two

Unsportsmanlike Conduct in Baseball: Understanding ASA Rules

QuestionASA rules, we recently played a team that constantly screamed as our pitcher was releasing her pitch. The opposing team would chant, the normal thi

First Base Rules: Runner's Lead and Safe Return

QuestionAfter the ball leaves the pitchers hand and the base runner at first assumes a lead off, what PORTION of first base must be clear for the runner to

First Base Rule: Orange vs. White - Runner's Safety

QuestionIf the fielder touches the orange part of first base,( ball in possession)  but not white part of base before runner get to first base is the

Fastpitch Interference: Batter Interference on Throw to Second Base - Rule Analysis

QuestionHi Mark: First let me say how much I appreciate the great work you do for this site - I have learned a lot from reading your answers. Heres the s

Base Running Rules: Interference and Runner's Rights - A Tournament Scenario

QuestionThis just happened yesterday during a tournament game my grandaughter was playing in. We had 2 outs on our opponents, a batter hit the ball to shor

ASA Co-Ed Softball Infield Positioning Rules: Shortstop & Second Base

QuestionWhat is the ASA rule (co-ed) for the positioning of the infielders such as the shortstop or second base playing deep (say 5 or 6 steps into the gra

Baseball Rules: Base Running & Dead Ball Appeals - Expert Analysis

QuestionQUESTION: Dr. Ambrose, On a topic dated 6/11/08, you stated that in a situation with bases loaded, winning run on third, two outs, and a base on ba