Productive Softball Practice Drills & Resources for 12U Teams

QuestionScott, I coach a 12U travel team and want to make practices more productive for the girls.  Can you recommend any instructional materials to a

Lodge Ball Rule in Baseball: Does it Exist?

QuestionWhen a live ball becomes lodged in a defensive players equipment, the ball is dead & all runners are awarded one base AnswerNope, no dead ball her

Softball Base Running Rules: Understanding ASA Rules and Illegal Steals

QuestionIn a U12 softball game there was a runner on third, one out, and the batter was walked by the pitcher.  The catcher threw the ball back to th

Understanding the 'Quick Pitch' in Softball: Rules and Implications

QuestionI recently saw a girls HS softball game. A pitcher was behind the rubber and as she came to the rubber, she would not come to a complete stop and s

First Baseman Throwing Lane on Bunts & Dropped Strikes: A Defensive Strategy Analysis

QuestionIs it possible for 1B to create a throwing lane on a bunt? On a dropped 3rd strike or a bunt the catcher can cover, we have our 1B call inside or

Understanding the Baseball Hesitation Rule: Is It Correct?

QuestionGirl on second, batter hits a base hit. Ball is thrown in from the outfield to the pitcher. Girl rounding first stops to try and see who the pitche

Understanding the Look-Back Rule in Baseball: Pitcher's Role

QuestionDr. Mark; in an earlier response (where R1 was on third and the BR had received a walk and continued on to 2nd and the umpire allowed R1 to score)y

High School Baseball Rule: Dead Ball & Runner Advancement

QuestionHigh school game with runners on first and second.  The batter  hits the ball to right center.  The ball gets stuck under the outfie

Little League Player Attendance Policies & Exceptions

QuestionHi Tom,  My daughter has missed 2 practices and 2 games as a result of the death of my brother (1 wk) and subsequently she sprained her ankle

MLB Rules: Out-of-Order Batters Explained

QuestionCan a team video a teams signs. Also how dose it work when a batter bats out of order. Does the team have a out charged to them and does the next b

Evaluating the Overhand Softball Throw: Technique and Effectiveness

QuestionHi, thanks for answering. Hmmm, wouldnt you say that it is interesting to rotate your wrist in an overhand throw and then be informed it is the fas

Baseball Scoring: Runner Interference & Batter's Safety - NCAA Rules

QuestionHappened last night in a HS varsity game: Runners at 1 and 2 with two outs. Batter hits dinker on which batter would reach 1B safely. However, runn

Softball Control: Does Getting the Ball Back Stop the Play?

Questionin 10u does getting the ball back to the pitcher show control of the ball and stop the play? If not please explain what will stop the play without

ASA Softball Rule: Catcher's Throw to Shortstop on a Lead Runner

QuestionDr. Ambrose, its always a pleasure viewing your answers. My question is. Runner at second base, pitcher pitches the ball, catcher sees that the R1

Baseball Scoring: Understanding Hits vs. Errors

QuestionWhile score keeping and considering how to consider a hit versus an error. I have been informed that when a ball is hit, and not touched by a playe

Bounced Ball & Batter Safety: ASA 12U Baseball Rules

QuestionHi, first thanks for taking my question!! My question is two fold. Girls ASA 12-U. If the batter attempts to get out of the way of an pitch ball wh

Dropped 3rd Strike: Rules for Runners in ASA U12 Softball

QuestionFirst thanks for taking my question!!! Wanted to make sure I understood the 3rd call strike dropped in girls ASA U12. Case (1) If bases are load

Dropped Third Strike Rule: Runner Advancement & Interference

QuestionOK hate to beat a dead horse............less than 2 outs...dropped 3rd strike....batter runs..........player on first runs to second......batter st

Understanding the Infield Fly Rule: Umpire Discretion & Mechanics

QuestionI read on this site, in one of the responses to an infield fly rule question, that an infield fly rule is in effect, regardless if an umpire calls

Improve Overhand Throwing Motion: Towel Slap Drill & Technique

QuestionDo you know of any drills that can improve the overhand throwing motion?   Some of my players tend to have their arms fall off to the side as