Baseball Illegal Reentry: Understanding Umpire Rules

QuestionBatter number 17 has just batted in the 3rd position for number 8.  After 8 bats and the inning is over the coach tells number 8 to go back in

Softball Home Plate Rules: Catcher Blocking Plays

QuestionDr Ambrose, my question is about mens slowpitch softball rules about home plate plays:   When there is a bang-bang play at home plate with t

Foul Ball Ruling in Baseball: A Detailed Analysis

QuestionSituation: 2 outs, bases loaded, I am in D position. Ball hit down first base line. Everyone except Home Plate umpire and me, because of position,

Slow Pitch Softball Batter's Box Positioning: Umpire's Judgment Explained

QuestionMark, When playing slow pitch softball 12, how do you determine how far back you can stand in the box without being out of the box? Keep in mind,

Understanding Obstruction at Second Base in Youth Baseball

QuestionIn a U12 game this evening, one of our players hit a line drive into the gap past the outfielders.  It was definitely a double, possibly a tri

Batter Hit by Pitch: Rule Application in Fast Pitch (15U)

QuestionQUESTION: I have a question as to the section and the rule that applies to a batter being hit while in the batters box. I was coaching a 15 and und

Baseball Award Rules: Base Advancement for Out-of-Play Throws

QuestionTom,  I asked this question last month an never received a response.  Ill try again.  When I worked baseball, we had an easy way to

Baseball Interference: Overthrown Ball & Runner's Status - ASA Rule 8-7-O

QuestionThrow from short to first to get batter runner is overthrown and first base coach puts up his hands to protect his face. Had it not hit coach, ball

Softball Dead Ball Ruling: Understanding the Play

Question16U -- Softball Runners are on 1st and 2nd.  Batter hits a grounder the runner from 1st kicks the ball going to 2nd.  The 2nd baseman fie

Baseball/Softball Interference & Obstruction Rules: Runner on 2nd

QuestionGirls Little League (ages 9-13)  Runner on 2nd base advances on hit, rounds 3rd and is tagged out by catcher half way to home.  Defensive

Base Stealing Interference in 14U Fastpitch: Umpire's Call Explained

QuestionOn a 14u fastpitch game, the runner at first base tried to steal second. The catcher threw to second base and hit the runner that was trying to ste

On-Deck Circle Equipment Rules: Weighted Bats & Umpire Authority

QuestionHi Mark, The question I have was a call that was made at a 10U game.  Our players were swinging a weighted bat to warm-up while in the on-dec

Baseball Obstruction Rule: 2B to 3B Play - F1 to F5

QuestionRunner is moving from 2B to 3B on ball hit back to F1. F1 throws to F5 in order to make play on runner going to 3B. The throw to F5 causes F5 to cr

Baseball Base Running Rules: Force Out at Second & Returning to Base

QuestionI have a situation that occured and have a question.  Bases are loaded and a ball is hit to the shortstop.  If the shortstop gets the out

Softball Injury Scenario: Base Runner Hit by Ball - Umpire Question

QuestionThis happened in a scrimmage with coaches doing the umpiring.   Runner on 1B.  Batter hits the ball medium hard just to the first baseman

MLB Look-Back Rule: Delayed Steals & Pitcher Behavior

QuestionThis past weekend we played a team with aggressive running styles that we were not prepared for.  I know the basics of the look back rule and

Softball/Baseball Rule: Appeal Plays & Run Scoring Explained

QuestionIf there are runners on 2nd and 3rd with 1 out and an outfielder catches a fly ball, the runner on 2nd leaves early and an appeal play calls the 2n

Re-entry Rules: Can a Player Return After an Injury?

QuestionIf a player had a (example) sore arm and was sat for an inning, after a little while in the game can he/she be let back in the game if there arm is

Fastpitch Softball: Obstruction Rules & Base Path

QuestionI have a couple questions on obstruction.  I coach a 12U girls fastpitch club team.  As I understand it (or at least the way I am interpr

ASA Fastpitch Rules: Flex Batting for Injured Players - Clarification

QuestionEarlier today I was at a tournament where the Flex was allowed to bat for an injured player.  The injured player had to leave the game.