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| Nov. 18, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: New batter box rule The back foot needs to be parallel to the front edge of the plate or behind the front edge at the point of contact between the bat and the ball. If the back foot is in front of the plate and there is no contact, the legal pitch is either or ball or a strike, depending upon where it lands. Hope that helps. |
| Oct. 25, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: One Pitch Softball Thanks for the comments, folks. I'm not advocating for any change in SSUSA play. I just wanted to know what folks thought of the format. In chess, we have classical, which isn't going away. However, we also have rapid and blitz formats as well as the Fischer variation (Chess 960). They are not meant to replace classical. They are just different formats. I understand many folks don't like change. We still have leagues that insist on starting with 0-0 counts, for example. That's ok too. |
| Oct. 23, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: One Pitch Softball "not advocating..." typo... |
| Oct. 23, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: One Pitch Softball Disclaimer - I'm not advocated for a rule change here. Message: I have seen a couple of "1-pitch" softball games. They are super interesting! They certainly change the game. The entire game moves faster. It's like the difference between classic chess and bullet chess. What do you think about that format of softball? |
| Oct. 11, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Online Renewal Hi GMCinCOC - Likely those expiration dates haven't been updated yet as the 2024 season just ended. If I needed to renew, I would just do it online using those prices for the desired duration. You can then check in a day or two in your profile if the correct dates are reflected. If not, a simple call to SSUSA would correct it. |
| Sept. 18, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Cold Softballs from coolers Agree. I'm trained to always examine the ball before it goes to the pitcher. If I feel it is too cold or has been altered, I will stop the clock. I will not entertain any discussion from any player or manager. I will not switch out that ball. I will call for a director to help examine the ball. Should we both concur that the ball has been altered, the game will be forfeited in favor of the defense. That's for an altered ball. If someone throws in something other than the approved SSUSA ball, I'll just give it back and ask for an approved softball. No penalty. |
| Sept. 18, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Player safety I'll opine here, not representing SSUSA. First off, I respectfully disagree with the premise of your question. In my experience, SSUSA does not draw a line between completing a game and player safety. Player safety is always the number one concern. Always. As an umpire, I have an influence on the directors if I strongly feel the situation is not playable (for any reason). I have never had a director force me to continue when I strongly felt it was unsafe. Yes, in certain situations there is some pressure to get games done, but not at the cost of safety. Yes, playing at twilight and then adapting to the lights coming on is not optimal for seniors. Playing in the elements is part of the game. There are many examples of how SSUSA demonstrates they do care a lot about player safety. Here are some: 1. controlling rosters. 2. bat testing. 3. runners must stay clear of the boxes and strike mat when running home. 4. safety base on 1st base. 5. rule allowing runners and defense to switch which bag they touch on first in certain situations. 5. confiscating bats suspected of being altered; ie someone on defense is seriously injured in the infield from a hit ball. Stiffining penalties for altered bats including holding the entire team responsible. While some of these are debated, they are no doubt attempts to protect the safety of the player and promote the fairness of the sport. |
| Aug. 26, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: Timberworks Construction Doug - A true hall of famer! Thank you so much for what you have done for the softball community. Thank you for giving of your time and extremely valuable advice to me personally. You spent so much time with me explaining how you built and sustained the successful dynasty of Timberworks. I continue to evangelize your message. You made it so clear: "I don't care how good of a player you are. I don't care how much you think you can contribute. I care a great deal about your attitude and how you would fit into the team. I will not tolerate negativity. I will not tolerate negative criticism toward any player. You get one warning. After that, you are off the team...permanently. Every member of my team knows their contribution. The character of a team is not demonstrated through wins. It is demonstrated when the team loses." These are just some of the diamonds you shared with me. Doug, I've personally witnessed how true it is. I've seen teams collapse...not because of the talent....but because of their attitude toward each other....and their conduct on the field. I've talked to other championship teams...be it AA, AAA, major, or major plus....they all say similar things. At any level, you can find great players. However, if their work ethic or attitude stinks, they are ultimately not going to help a team with sustained success. |
| Aug. 14, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Batter Box Rule Again, SSUSA adopted the same rule as in USSSA. So, if you want to criticize the largest softball association in the world's rule, go for it. It is not unique to SSUSA. I am a hitter who drives off of my back foot. This causes a drag of the back foot as I stride into the ball. So, I adjusted. I now stand about six inches behind the front edge of the plate. The adjustment was easy. It also prevents any doubt of where my back foot is at the moment of striking the ball. The largest adjustment I have seen this year is for the "happy gilmore" hitters who like to travel in the box as they hit the ball. That "movement" by the batter usually triggers me as an umpire to take a look at where the feet are at ball strike. Those who plant and drive rarely catch my attention. Keep in mind, the umpire has a bad angle from behind the plate to see where the foot lands. So, it has to be really obvious (for me). I'm still seeing a lot more batters step clear out of the side of the box than in front of it. Yes, they are just as furious when I call them out. But, that isn't new. The sides of the box rule has not changed. Both feet must be in the sides of the box. The suggestion to do completely away with a batter's box brings its own advantages and challenges. It can lead to reduced batting skills. Instead of learning how to hit oppo properly, one can then stand at a 90-degree angle to the pitcher (way off the plate) and "pull" any ball, to the opposite field. Take a look at Ryan Harvey (USSSA star) or Bob O'brien (SSUSA star) hitting oppo. They can do so by staying completely within the box. Of course, there are many others...but those are two examples. |
| Aug. 12, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: Bats Discussion: failed bats Hi Curty - i agree safety should be the number one concern. I think there are likely various reasons why players continue to swing with them. Economics may be one. Senior bats can strain some folk's pocket books. Some players just love a particular bat and have a hard time letting it go. I'm sure there are other reasons. That doesn't mean one should continue to swing with a failed bat. I find that some folks don't understand the danger of swinging, for example, with a cracked bat. "It's only a small crack." they say. Yes, but on any given swing, that bat (which is typically made of composite materials) can shatter. I've seen the end cap sever from the bat during the swing and fly directly at a pitcher's head. I've also seen the composite shatter like a grenade, sending small particles in the air, which could potentially blind a person. |
| Aug. 8, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Catcher verbal obstruction 9.1 H and J speak to offensive interference. 8.4 10 describes the application. I'll even go further than the excellent info Dave provided. In my judgement, if the catcher is interfering verbally with the batter in the box by yelling, for example, "GREAT PITCH, THAT's A STRIKE" while the pitched ball is in the air, I will give the catcher a warning. By second attempt, I will deem it an obstruction. I'm often confronted with, "Am I not allowed to speak as the catcher?!" I say, sure....just don't obstruct the batter. Why? If the catcher wants to encourage the pitcher, the catcher can wait until the ball is batted or it lands. Otherwise, the idea of the catcher trying to throw off the batter is by definition, interference. |
| July 25, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Rule covering runner touching base Should have just said, "all collisions" |
| July 25, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Rule covering runner touching base This is an important rule...because of safety. SSUSA works hard to protect the defensive players from collisions which could result in serious injury. |
| July 25, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Rule covering runner touching base 4040Club - Good call out and important to get clarity. Rule 8.9(2) "Crossing or Touching Strike Mat or Batter's Box. The rule says, "touches or crosses over any portion of the strike mat or the batter's box.) It does not say, "near". That would be a good opportunity to ask the Umpire what he/she saw. If the umpire did not see the runner touch the batters box, I would call for a ruling from the director. I would then site that rule. If the umpire says he did see the runner touch or enter the batter's box, that is a judgement call not subject to appeal. Please keep in mind that touching any part of the batter's box (including the line of the box) would result in an out. The ball would remain live. |
| July 23, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: General and miscellaneous Discussion: ILLEGAL PITCH I agree with mck71. I've officiated many pitches I called "Illegal." In many cases, the batter swung at the ball anyway. I've asked some if they heard me. Usually they say, "Yes!, but I loved that pitch!" I'm an opera singer. If I yelled "Illegal", the batter (and many of the players) would be very disturbed. Plus, some of the batters are hard of hearing. That is another challenge. So, I try to find the balance between informing the batter....and not disturbing their rhythm if they choose to swing anyway. |
| July 22, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Strike zone mat Totally agree with Dave. In Washington league play, we have mats that are plywood. They are wrapped in thin turf so they can't/won't splinter. I love them. They help. |
| July 22, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Rule Question My view of Rule 8.4:10A.4: (Runners are entitled to advance without liability to be put out): When a runner, while advancing or returning to a base, is obstructed by a fielder who neither has the ball nor is attempting to field a batted or thrown ball..... So, if in the judgement of the umpire, if the fielder is attempting to make a play on a thrown ball, there may not be an obstruction called. The batter-runner is not necessarily entitled to the running path. |
| July 22, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Pre-game warmup pitches Hi IcanRun - in addition to the advice from Senior Softball, please keep in mind the Umpire normally controls this. Most rec and all qualifiers have time limits. My goal is to see what I can do to keep the flow of the game going. I want both teams to be able to play as many innings as possible. If I allow excessive pitches, it just slows the game down. |
| July 22, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Rule covering runner touching base Hi Larry - in your scenario, if the runner on third base, who is forced to go home, fails to cross the scoring line, I would call a dead ball. I would call the third base runner out. The defense would remain on the field and play would continue. A walk is not subject to the "hit and sit" rule. All runners must proceed to their next available base. In the case of home plate, that place would be across the scoring line. (If the runner steps through the batter's box or touches home plate, they would be out as well.) |
| July 3, 2024 Bruce M | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Infield fly rule Hi Nvjimmymac - The answer is found in 1.41 of the rule book: When it becomes apparent that a batted ball will be an infield fly, the umpire shall immediately declare, "infield fly - batter is out", to aid the runners...Failure of the umpire to call "infield fly," does not negate the infield fly. If the error is discovered prior to the next pitch, the infield fly rule may still be called. |
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