Home of Senior Softball-USA and Senior Softball World Championships
| May 21, 2021 txnighttrain | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: You make the call This is an interesting scenario and one the National UIC for USSSA sent out to all umpires. This was his ruling: This is a timing play. If the run or runs scored prior to the runner being passed by the batter base runner they count. If not the don't. This was the ground rule double situation. Even though the ball went dead, runners must still advance properly |
| May 21, 2021 txnighttrain | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Infield fly rule The infield fly rule once called is called. As our UIC told us one time, if you call it and the ball hits off the outfield fence, the batter is still out. That was just an extreme example and does not happen. The infield fly does not mean the pop up is over the infield dirt. It means it can be caught with routine effort by an infielder or even a shallow outfielder such as a rover. The level of the players is also taken into consideration on deciding what is routine. A lot of times when it is called fielders let it drop hoping the runners will try to advance so they can tag them out. (The force is gone because the batter is out and runners are not forced to advance). It must be less than 2 outs with runners on 1st & 2nd or bases loaded. The whole purpose was to prevent an easy double or triple play. Also, if an umpire calls infield fly and the balls falls short of 1st or 3rd and goes foul without being touched, it is a foul ball. Most of the time it is a simple call, but umpires do misjudge them and on occasion make the wrong call, but they just have to eat it. However, if anyone thinks the umpire should be perfect, then I guess their lifetime batting avg is 1.000 and they have never made an error, mental or physical. |
| May 21, 2021 txnighttrain | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Change in the batters box rule I umpire in USSSA: Here is the actual rule which applies to all levels. Rule 1 Sec 5: ....The Batter must take an initial position with his back foot no further forward than a line defining the front edge of home plate. The batter will be called out if he hits the ball when the back foot is completely further forward than the line defining the front edge of the plate. Nowhere does it permit a person to make contact with the ball outside the box. Since many times the boxes aren't marked it is the umpires judgment. We are taught it must be obvious. The rear foot rule was incorporated because it now makes the presumption you are out of the forward lines of the box if the back foot is in front of the plate at the time contact is made. If the box is marked, a player could still be called out if he makes contact with the ball and one or both feet is outside the box. The lines are part of the box and you are in the box if any part of a foot is on the line. This rule applies to ALL LEVELS. |
| Jan. 27, 2021 txnighttrain | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Infield fly rule...... If the Infield Fly is called by the umpire, the batter is out and runners advance at their own risk. If ball is dropped, batter is still out and advancing runners must be tagged since force is now off. If caught, runners must tag up before advancing or else they can be called out for failing to retouch with a proper appeal. |
| Jan. 27, 2021 txnighttrain | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Mardi Gras Qualifier in Louisiana Tournament had been cancelled. I guess due to lack of teams. I know of two Texas teams that had paid to go. |
| Jan. 27, 2021 txnighttrain | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: SAFE or OUT The rule in SSUSA is clear, the runner is out if the 1st baseman caught the ball while in contact with the white base if the batter-baserunner did not touch the safety bag when a play was being made at 1st base. You seem to have been trying to call the situation as an USSSA rule which is different than SSUSA. |
| Jan. 27, 2021 txnighttrain | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Infield Fly (not) An infield fly is only when runners are at 1st & 2nd or bases loaded with less than two out. There os a dead ball pop outs on infield if runners are on 1st or 1st and 3rd with less than 2 outs if in the opinion of the umpire that the ball was intentionally dropped or not caught with intent to get a double play. This is an umpire judgment call. A person not running should have nothing to do with the ruling on the field. |
| Aug. 2, 2020 txnighttrain | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Texas State Championships & TOC Our bracket has 3 teams from one classification (60 AAA) and one team from a different one (55 AA). In the past, it said the solo classification had to win bracket to get TOC bid. If that occurred then the highest finishing team of the other classification also gets a TOC bid. It does not say that this time. There was a 55 AA in the 60 AAA group at Rocky Mountain Championships last year and and had they won, the highest finishing 60 AAA would have also gotten a TOC Bid. I have also played at Rocky Mountain when we had a similar situation with only 4 teams. The solo team won and we were the highest finishing of the other 3 and got a TOC bid. Our goal will be to win the tournament, but we would like to please know why this didnt apply this time, especially since the lack of tournaments this year means less teams have a chance to qualify. Thank you for your time. |
| July 22, 2020 txnighttrain | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Western Championships I noticed that there are a recorded number of teams going this year. More than they have gotten the past 3 years in Sacramento. Maybe the new location might be considered for a future move for this tournament, at least maybe every other year. |
| July 22, 2020 txnighttrain | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Texas State Championships Thanks |
| July 22, 2020 txnighttrain | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Batter pops up, doesn't run; defense lets ball drop to get a double play. Legal? It is always an umpire judgment call. Making an argument about sun in eyes is not relevant. I umpire. I know the position of the sun and have seen enough level of play to know players abilities. Yes, there might be a great actor that can fool the umpire, but 99% of the time, the umpire is not fooled and will get it right. With only one umpire it is unlikely a call will be changed unless it involves a rule issue. |
| July 19, 2020 txnighttrain | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Texas State Championships If this tournament did get canceled, could a team change to the Western Championships? |
| July 19, 2020 txnighttrain | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Texas State Championships I know SSUSA has had to cancel tournaments based on state or local rules due to Covid-19. How far in advance do you require a commitment from a location in order to ensure the site will be available for play. Some players on my team are concerned that they will get told at the last minute that a site has cancelled even though it previously committed within 2 weeks of the tournament. Thanks for any information you can give. |
| May 14, 2020 txnighttrain | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: States "Re-opening" plans We've been having batting practice in Texas the past 3 weeks. |
| April 26, 2020 txnighttrain | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Corona Virus (COVID-19) • Part II Oklahoma Governor says sports venues can open up May 1st. Maybe that tourney in the middle of the month in Tulsa will be a go. Oklahoma Gov. Stitt three-phase plan to reopen state | Coronavirus updates | joplinglobe.com https://www.joplinglobe.com/coronavirus/oklahoma-gov-stitt-announces-three-phase-plan-to-reopen-state/article_958169ce-84ef-11ea-ac81-8b383e8c55b4.html |
| Jan. 14, 2020 txnighttrain | Topic: Teams looking for players Discussion: Looking for two 60aaa or 65 major players Yes, please send cell phone number or email and Manager will be in contact with you. |
| Jan. 13, 2020 txnighttrain | Topic: Teams looking for players Discussion: Looking for two 60aaa or 65 major players This is in Winter Haven, FL. About half way between Orlando and Tampa. If you are interested, please post your email or cell phone and the manager will contact you promptly. |
| Jan. 10, 2020 txnighttrain | Topic: Teams looking for players Discussion: Need 60 AAA or 65 Major Player for TOC The Texas Thunder need a couple of Players for TOC. Must be from Texas or adjoining states. We can take up to two players to fill our roster. They must be from a 60 AAA or 65 Major team. Could use a guy that can play the left side of infield or play outfield. |
| Nov. 1, 2019 txnighttrain | Topic: Tournaments Discussion: Hotels for TOC Are there going to be any hotels that offer special rates. None are currently listed. |
| Feb. 23, 2019 txnighttrain | Topic: Teams looking for players Discussion: Texas 60 Team Looking for Players I see TOC National all stars got stomped this year by the wounded warriors. This group has won 4 of last 5 TOC all star games. There only lost was a close game won last year by the National all stars over the wounded warriors. I was on the National All Star team that won! Just a little bragging rights fun. |
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