Softball Umpires: Common NFHS Rule Questions for New Umps

QuestionI am going to group a few together here if you dont mind Sir, I am a first year ump in a league that plays by NFHS rules with a few exceptions, and

NFHS Rules: Correcting Umpire Errors & Player Safety After Play

QuestionI know the references are not correct but does the info still apply.  IF after the play the umpires determined it should have been called an I

Infield Fly Rule and Runner Advancement: Understanding the Call

QuestionWe had bases loaded w/ no outs infield pop up ump calls infield fly , 1 of are baserunners was not on the bag when she saw it was not going to be c

Baseball Rules: When Must a Runner Leave a Base?

QuestionWe had an interesting situation occur in our game last night.  We were in the field and the bases were loaded.  The batter hit a ground b

Understanding the Slow Pitch Softball Strike Zone: Official Rules & Key Points

QuestionI pitch in a womens rec. slow pitch softball league.  The umpires vary significantly on their strike zones and I was wondering what the offici

Fair Play Rules: Missed Catch & Coach Pitching During Warm-up

Questionif an attempted catch on a ball in fair play was missed and dropped out of play but the player stayed fair  before or after the bag at third w

Softball Interference: Understanding Runner Protection & Fair Balls

QuestionI was told by an umpire that if a fielder (infront of the basepath (ex: in front of a line b/n 1st base and 2nd base) attempts to play a ball, but

Legal Status of Rocking Windmill Pitching in Youth Baseball

QuestionQUESTION: I am coaching in a youth league with teams in u10 to u17.  there is some discrepancy as to whether it is legal for our pitchers to u

Fastpitch Softball: Runner Hit by Ball on the Basepath - Is She Out?

QuestionBatter hits ball, is running to first, the batted ball hit the runner as she is running to first? The batter did nothing wrong while running to fir

MLB Play Analysis: Runner Hit by Batted Ball - Rule Breakdown

Questionr1 on 2nd base, r2 on 1st. Line drive up the middle, bounces off pitchers glove, then proceeds to hit r1 attempting to advance to 3rd base. Initial

Slow Pitch Softball: Umpire Signals & Illegal Pitch Height

QuestionWhen a pitch (ASA slow pitch) is deemed less than 6 feet or more than 12 feet high, must the umpire verbally call illegal and visually signal an il

Base Running Rules: Early Leaving & Scoring - MLB Rules Analysis

QuestionRunners at 3rd and 2nd with 1 out.  FLy ball to center that is caught for second out.  Runners tag and as a result of the play both runne

Softball Play Analysis: Analyzing a Close Play at Second Base

QuestionQUESTION: ASA men抯 softball Runner at 1st and 2nd base, batter hits to the shortstop - picks up grounder and tags second for the first out throws t

Softball Bunt Rule: Fair Ball When Bat Drops?

QuestionThe batter bunts for a hit and drops the bat in fair territory in a normal fashion while advancing to first base. The ball rolls into the bat. What

Foul Tip Rule: When Does It Result in an Out?

QuestionDuring a game a batter foul tips the ball directly into the catchers glove, no elevation of the ball. Umpire called the batter out pitch would have

ASA Fastpitch Rover Position: Rules & Restrictions for 9-13 Year Olds

Questionhi i hope you can clear this up its a junior division 9 - 13 yr olds we follow asa the rover postion where exactly and please be as specific as po

Blocked Ball in Baseball: Rules & Outcomes Explained

QuestionRunner on 2nd, past ball that bounces towards the on-deck batter.  On deck batter kicks the ball.  Is the call a dead ball and runner clo

Softball Umpire Error: Ball Called Strike & Player Reaction

QuestionMark, So at a recent co-rec ASA softball game I had a 3-2 count and was pitched a ball that hit the plate. The umpire called a strike indicating i

Understanding Legal Blocking at Home Plate in Youth Baseball

QuestionTom, My daughters team (10U) played a team recently with a rather large catcher (NSA). This girl looked like she was 12 or older, but thats beside

Softball Mercy Rule: Run Scoring with Limited Batters - Clarification

QuestionWe have the following rule in our in-town U14 softball league: MERCY RULE: A team may score no more than 6 runs per inning or go through the CBO o