Youth Softball: Batter Foot Placement Between Pitches - Rule Clarification

QuestionI am coaching a 10 and under team for the first time this year and last night I had ump tell me that girls swing their bat between pitches to keep

Optimal Umpire Positioning in Fastpitch: Maximizing Visibility & Comfort

QuestionI noticed in a fastpitch game that I recently watched that the umpire had a difficult time getting comfortable behind the plate because the cather

Fastpitch Softball: Can a Runner Score Without a Timeout?

QuestionSituation: Runner on 3rd base. Catcher goes to mound to talk to pitcher and does not ask for time out. Can the runner score from third base in high

ASA Softball Rules: Batter Hit by Pitch & Dropped Third Strike (14U/12U)

QuestionDr. Ambrose, I have two questions. 1. Per ASA Girls 14U rules, how many times can a pitcher hit the batters per inning before being removed from p

Motivating Softball Players Under Ineffective Coaching: A Guide

QuestionHi, my question is simple but the answer must be difficult because it has alluded me for 3 years now. How do you get girls to play their best for r

Softball Rules: Are There Limits on Hitting Batters?

QuestionHi Tom, I have consulted my rules book with success on this matter. Is there a limit on how many batters a pitcher can hit? Thank you in advance f

Preventing Shin Guard Chaffing: Tips & Solutions

QuestionAny suggestions to prevent chaffing on the back side of the knee from the shin guard straps? I have loosen the straps and have considered using an

Courtesy Runners & Pinch Hitters in Baseball: Rules & Protests

QuestionIf a coach replaces a courtesy runner with a PINCH RUNNER, and the courtesy was running for the pitcher, would the pitch runner be taking the place

Fly Ball Rule: Did the Runner Leave Too Early?

QuestionA fly ball is hit to left-center field.  Runner on third comes back to tag.  The ball hits off the center fielders glove.  The runne

Player Suspensions for Excessive Games Played: A Coach's Responsibility

QuestionIf the coach has a player play more than the games she is allowed per week can the player be suspended any games for this even though the coach tol

Softball Throwing Fundamentals: Mastering Base Plays & Improving Your Arm

Questionits my first year playing and the position i feel most comfortable in is center field or 2nd base (mostly center). i get confused on which base to

Softball Rules: Can a Batter Steal on a 4th Ball?

Questionwhen a batter is awarded first base on 4 th ball, are they allowed to steal second base if the ball is still in play ? the reason i ask is in our g

Umpiring Rule: The Black Plate & Strike Calls in ASA Baseball

QuestionQUESTION: I am in my third year of umpiring in PA Co-ed ASA and i was trying to explain to my fellow colleagues about the black part of the plate.

Effective Umpire Communication: Building Respect & Sportsmanship in League Play

QuestionWhat type of dialog should umpires have with players? We participate in a church league that have mens and co-ed teams. We have an umpire telling b

Fast Pitch Baseball: When Can a Runner Leave the Base?

QuestionWe have moved and my girls are on a fast pitch team. I can understand some rules are local rules but arent most of them universal? For instance, wh

Softball Steal Called Out on Foul Tip: Rule Clarification

QuestionWith a runner on 1st, 1 out, girl stealing on pitch, 2 strikes on batter and the batter foul ticks the pitch into the catchers glove.  Ump beh

Fastpitch Softball Rule Clarification: Runner on First & Out of Play Throw

QuestionI read an answer of yours from 7-14-06 about runner on first, running on hit ball to outfield. Runner is between second and third when ball is lega

Little League Pitching Rules: Foot Placement on the Rubber

QuestionFor Little League girls 10 and under, is the pitcher required to begin pitching with two feet on the rubber, one foot on, or what?  This seems

Softball Diving Technique: Conquer Your Fear & Master the Dive

QuestionI play alot of positions on the softball field but i mainly play shortstop. There have been many times were i should have dove for a ball but i did

Slow Pitch Softball Rule: Runner Interference - Safe or Out?

QuestionRunner on 1st base.  Sharply hit ground ball hits 1st base without being touched, bounces up, and hits runner on 1st base base before runner c