Understanding Runner Interference in Baseball: A Clarification

QuestionDr. Ambrose, I have a follow-up question to an answer you provided on 25 Apr.  The question dealt with a runner coming from first being hit by

Bases Loaded, Runner Hit: Baseball Rule Explanations

QuestionSituation;Bases loaded one out and the batter hit the ball line drive toward third base line.The third base runner is stradling the third base line

Base Running Rules: When is a Runner Out?

QuestionRunner at first leads after the release of the ball from the pitcher and stays 10-15 feet off the bag while catcher throws ball back to pitcher. Ru

Infield Fly Rule: Runner Liability & Official Explanation

QuestionWhen an IF rule fly is caught and runners have left base early, must they be tagged out or can the fielder throw to the base like a normal and beat

Softball Side Arm Pitching Rules: Is It Legal?

QuestionI coach a 5th and 6th grade in town team.  we have a child whos parent insists that they pitch side arm, this results in hitting batters as we

Is It Legal for Runners to Run to First After a Called Out Third Strike?

QuestionA team is being coached to run to 1st base after every 3rd strike call or 3rd strike swing. It seems to be done to confuse fielders when runner are

Flex Player & Defensive Replacement Rules in Softball

QuestionQUESTION: my question is if im playing with 11 girls and i want to keep one for a sub and use the tenth player as a dp.can the sub be used as a cou

Handling Double Forfeits in Women's Softball Tournaments: A Quick Guide

QuestionI am in charge of an 8 team playoff tournament for my womens softball league.  We may have a situation this weekend where two teams slated to

Umpire's Ruling on Running Lanes: Correct Application of Baseball Rules?

QuestionQUESTION: Dr. Ambrose, we had a situation in a recent travel game where I think the umpire might have followed the letter of the law, but not the i

JV Players in State Tournaments: Legality and Strategy

QuestionIf you already have varsity players sitting on the bench is it legal to pull up the best four Jv players to play in a state tournament? AnswerNanc

Slow Pitch Baseball Rules: Batted Balls & Out-of-Order Batting

QuestionWe just had two interesting plays in our slow pitch league (ASA rules). 1. A ball was swung at that did not leave the batters box it ended up in th

Bunt, Ball, or Strike? NFHS Rules Explained

QuestionThe batter squares to bunt, the pitch comes in out of the strike zone and the batter does not with draw the bat or make an attemnpt at the ball. &n

10U Baseball Pitching: Expected Speed & Pitch Types at State Championship Level

QuestionMr, Mielke, Can you give me an idea of the average pitchers ability at the 10U STATE CHAMPIONSHIP level.  We will host a Regional Tournament a

Slow Pitch Softball Stealing Rules: Legalities & When to Steal

Questionwhat is the rules for slow pitch softball? can you steal, when can you steal if you can. AnswerHi Steve, In ASA SP play stealing is legal except

Baseball: Runner Safe or Out at First Base?

QuestionSir, I just want to ask if the runner is safe or out in this situation. The pitcher is winding up, while the runner is stepping on the outer side o

American Softball Participation: ASA League Numbers & Statistics

QuestionHi Mark: DO you have any idea how many Americans play the game of ASA league slow-pitch and fast-pitch softball? AnswerHi frank off their websit

Understanding ASA Rule 8-5-I: Ball Out of Play & Runner Status

QuestionThis appears t be a two part rule. Please explain it and give examples. AnswerThis really isnt a two part rule.  It seems that way as it talk

Fair vs. Foul: Field Positioning & Ground Balls - Baseball Rules

Questionwe have a 8 and under team and the question is, if the fielder in straddling the foul line when fielding a ground ball that starts in fair and ends

Rainout Rule in NYC Softball Leagues: Game Resumption & Scoring

QuestionQuestion for you is we were playing the first game of a doubleheader in NYC Big Apple Softball League. The first game was called do to rain after 3

Foul Territory Rules: Runner Out After Fumble

QuestionQUESTION: A ball is fielded by the first baseman in the playing field. She fumbles the ball and knocks the ball into foul territory. She picks up t