Slow Pitch Baseball: Is a Bouncing Ball Fair or Foul?

QuestionIn slow pitch, batter tips the ball when swinging, ball hits the plate, bounces and comes right back and stops on plate, hitting nothing else. &nbs

Men's Slo-Pitch: Defensive Positioning Rules - 5 Infielders

QuestionIs their a rule in a mens slo pitch game 5 infielders does the fifth player have to be in the grass or could he play right behind second base? Ans

Batter's Rights: Can They Advance After a Fumbled Ball?

QuestionI recently had an opposing player hit a 1 hopper right back to the pitcher, he threw his bat and returned toward the dugout on the 3rd base line. &

Slow Pitch Illegal Pitch Ruling & Batter's Options

QuestionGame situation:  1 out, nobody on, 1-2 count During the delivery, the umpire loudly and clearly calls and indicates the pitch is illegal (arc

Softball Time Limits: Inning Completion vs. Game Over

QuestionThe visiting team is up to bat and are behind. The time expires during their at bat. Is the game over or does the inning get to be completed? Answ

Slow Pitch Softball: Does a Pitch on the Plate Count as a Strike?

QuestionFor years I have contended that a pitched soft ball that the batter does not swing at, but a pitch that hits on the plate can NOT be a strike. &nbs

USSSA FastPitch Umpires: Addressing Runner Interference & Rabbit Assignments

QuestionHey Tom, been a while but have a new question for you. Just this past week I was in Orlando, FL for the USSSA FastPitch World Series and while I wa

Softball Rule Interpretation: Runners on Bases & Force Out

QuestionOur REC league operates under softballontario (.ca) but you can site ASA rules. The situation : bases loaded, 1 out, batter hits a short fly, I d

Baseball Play: Home Plate Interference - Umpire Error?

QuestionQUESTION: Heres the scenario. Bases loaded the ball is hit to short.  She throws home but the catchers foot is not on the plate.  As the

Coed Softball Infield Player Limits: Understanding the Rules

Questionhey Dr. i recently had a game in wich i was winning by a suficient amount of runs, so i decided to put all my girls in the outfield and all guys in

NFHS Look-Back Rule: Batter-Runner's Legality & Potential Out

QuestionR1 on second and batter gets first with ball four. Batter-runner legally runs to and steps on first, but then takes three or four steps towards sec

MLB Rule: Is a Batter Illegal to Stop Between Bases?

QuestionQUESTION: Runner on 3Rd, batter walks, stops between first and second to see if pitcher will make a play. Pitcher does nothing. Batter then goes to

Pitcher Glove Rules: Is Yellow Stitching Legal in Fastpitch?

Questionhttp://www.wilson.com/en-us/fastpitch/gloves/a500-game-soft-fp12/ Pitcher using the glove in link in a game.  Umpire casually advised the glo

ASA Baseball Question: Obstruction at First Base?

QuestionHello, This is an ASA question with a double bag at first. I had a play where the ball was hit to the shortstop and she threw to first base. The ba

Developing a Young Softball Player: Slapping & Potential

QuestionMY LEFT-HANDED DAUGHTER PLAYS FOR A SOFTBALL CLUB HER 2ND YEAR. SHE TAKES HITTING LESSONS & HER HITTING COACH SAYS SHE IS A POWER HITTER.  HOW

ERA Calculation Scenario: Single & Errors - Baseball Analytics

QuestionGood Morning Tom I know we were going back and forth yesterday regarding ERA calculation and I had one more scenario I wanted to run by you.  

Fastpitch Softball Obstruction Play Analysis: First Base Scenario

QuestionHello, This is an ASA girls fastpitch question with a double bag at first. I had a play where the ball was hit to third base and she threw to first

12U ASA Fast Pitch Game: Close Call & Controversial Call - Game Outcome

QuestionIn a 12u ASA fast pitch game last inning with the home team batting down 1-0 with 1 out runners on 2nd and 3rd. The batter hit a ball down 3rd base

Baseball Run Scoring: Force Outs & Third Out Rules Explained

QuestionRunners are on 1st and 3rd with 2 outs.  Grounder hit to 2nd basement and she tags the runner from 1st for the 3rd out (she is forced). If the

Understanding Foul Tips: Rule Changes & Strike Counts

QuestionI know the rule was changed in 06.   Still having a difficult time with it.   Can you explain the difference with 1 and 2 strik