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| Jan. 31, 2024 BillC48 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Runner advances to what base? A recent play in our rec league was as follows: Runner on first base. Batter hits a slow roller towards first base and pitcher runs over and fields the ball. His throw to first is wide of the bag and slowly rolls out of the boundary line. At the time of the throw, the batter-runner was about 2/3 of the way to first. The runner who started on first is very fast and claims that since he was past 2nd base when the throw was made, he should be awarded two bases from that point and he is awarded home by the umpires. I believe that this particular play is governed by Section 8.4(10)E1 and the umpires should have awarded the two bases based on the runners positions at the time of the pitch. Therefore, runner who started on first is advanced to 3rd base. Can I get a clarification. Also, in a similar play just yesterday, runners on first and second, a hard hit ball to the third baseman. He steps on third for the force out and throws wildly to first. I believe the same rule applies, but want to know if the fact that he made a play at third before he makes the first throw, does this change the ruling cited above? |
| Sept. 7, 2023 BillC48 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Definition of "moderate speed" of a pitch Section 6.6, Legal Delivery, paragraph G. states: "The pitch shall be released at a moderate speed. The speed is left up to the judgment of the umpire. The umpire shall warn a pitcher who delivers a pitch with excessive speed...." I umpire in a local rec league, and the topic of what exactly is "moderate or excessive speed" has come up repeatedly. We have several pitchers in our league that move from the front of the pitching box to the rear of the box after they have two strikes on a batter. In order to reach the strike mat from the rear of the box, it generally requires either a much higher arc (probably over the 12" maximum height) on the pitch or increased pace in order to reach the strike mat. Can some of the more senior umpires provide us with your definition of moderate or excessive speed. Thanks in advance for your input. |
| Feb. 1, 2022 BillC48 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Ground rule double or ??? We have an outfield fence with two gaps where the fence overlaps itself so that outfielders may more easily retrieve home run balls. Normally if a batter hits a ground ball or line drive through the outfield and it winds up going through one of these gaps or under/over the fence, the proper call is ground rule double. However, last week one of the outfielders attempted to block a sharply hit ground ball with his foot. The ball was deflected a bit but kept on going and happened to find one of the gaps in the fence. The umpire on the field awarded the batter-runner third base, stating that by the time the deflected ball went through the fence the b/r was already past first base. What's the proper call? |
| Dec. 14, 2021 BillC48 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Interference or Obstruction or no call HI BJ & Turning2- Thank you both for your responses. An no, I was not at your session in The Villages. I live in CA. and I appreciate your insight. |
| Dec. 13, 2021 BillC48 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Interference or Obstruction or no call This happened at a local rec league game and I need the assistance of a more seasoned umpire. Man on first with two outs. The batter hits a base hit to right field and runner from first continues to third and stops. The throw from the outfield eludes all the infielders and slowly rolls across the third base foul line and lands against the wall a few feet from third base. The pitcher who is chasing the ball is crossing the foul line to retrieve the ball. At the same time the runner at third wakes up and realizes that the ball is rolling away from the pitcher. He starts towards home and runs into the opposing pitcher who immediately shouts out interference. The runner continues home and scores. The umpires decide that the pitcher is correct and call the runner out. After the game a number of managers and umpires confer and I hear everything from interference to obstruction to no call. Our league also has a strict policy about runners avoiding contact with defensive players and we employ a run by rule. Please help. |
| Dec. 28, 2020 BillC48 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: What constitutes interference? Please help me out in understanding when to call interference on a runner. Runner on first and a slow roller is hit towards the second baseman who is playing at a regular depth. In order to field the slow roller, the 2nd baseman charges the ball and just before he bends to pick up the ball he sees the runner from first running into his path, so he pulls up and does not make the play. There is no collision as the fielder took evasive action. The umpire did not call interference and felt the runner had a right to the base path. Section 1.45 states "Interference is the act of an offensive player or team member that impedes or confuses a defensive player attempting to execute a play. A base runner must avoid a fielder making the play." Is the runner in this case required to stop and run around the fielder in order to avoid a call of interference. Please enlighten me. Thanks. |
| Feb. 20, 2019 BillC48 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Interference/Obstruction or Other Dave- thanks for a very thorough and detailed answer. One other question. Is the runner standing on 1st base obligated to get out of the fielder's way or can he stand in the way of a possible catch, thereby initiating contact. It seems that in this case there may have been incidental contact that could have been avoided if the runner had maintained his foot on the bag, but slid over into foul territory. The definition of interference "is the act of an offensive player that impedes or confuses a defensive player attempting to execute a play" falls under this situation. Or is the fact that offensive player is standing on a base exempt them from this requirement? |
| Feb. 20, 2019 BillC48 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Interference/Obstruction or Other Interesting scenario happened in our community league. Runners on first and third with one out. Batter hits an infield fly ball directly over first base. The runner stands on first and the first baseman drifts over to make the catch. The ball comes down directly over the runner on first and the fielder makes the catch, with some apparent touching with the runner. As the first baseman catches the fly he sees that the runner has either stepped off the bag or lost his balance and drifted off the bag and he is tagged for the double play. The manager contends that the runner has an absolute right to stand on first without moving to get out of the way of the fielder and that his runner was forced off the bag by the fielder. The umpires judge that the catch and tag constitute a double play....inning over. Any guidance on this play would be appreciated. |
| Nov. 9, 2018 BillC48 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: What constitutes an unsafe bat Sorry guys... I meant SSUSA. My fingers didn't type what my mind was thinking. |
| Nov. 9, 2018 BillC48 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: What constitutes an unsafe bat I umpire in a senior softball community league. We had an interesting discussion as to whether a bat that rattles is either unsafe or illegal. I know that some of the older Combats tend to develop a rattle after limited use; however we never considered it unsafe. Apparently one of our umpires read the ASA rulebook which specifically states the bat must be "rattle free". Just wondering where the USSSA umpires stand on this since this is specifically left out of the USSSA rulebook. Thanks for your input. |
| Nov. 9, 2018 BillC48 | Topic: Bats Discussion: What constitutes an unsafe bat I umpire in a community league. We recently had a healthy discussion concerning bats that rattle when shaken. Specifically a few of the guys have Combats that are a few years old and have a plastic ring inside the bat that breaks up after some use and causes a slight rattle. Does this rattling constitute an unsafe or illegal bat? Some of the guys in our league have played in a number of tournaments and state that they have never seen a bat taken out of play due to a rattle. I would appreciate getting feedback on this. Thanks. |
| March 27, 2018 BillC48 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Dead ball ground rule double situation. Similar situation - Batter hits the ball over the fence for a home run. Although we allow the runner to touch first and go into the dugout, this particular runner wanted to jog around the bases. As he approached home, he almost ran to home plate rather than the scoring line. If he had actually touched home plate or the batters box would he be out or does the home run count regardless? |
| Feb. 19, 2018 BillC48 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: When runners are entitled to advance Runners on 1st and 2nd with one out and a fly ball is hit to right center and is caught. Runner on 2nd is half way to 3rd and sees that the ball is caught and attempts to return to 2nd base. The throw leaves the fielder's hand and a good throw would have doubled up the runner going back to 2nd; however it is overthrown and continues to roll beyond the boundary lines past 3rd base. I know the runner should be awarded two bases under section 8.4(10)D. Does that mean the runner from 2nd is awarded 3rd and home or 2nd and 3rd? |
| Dec. 12, 2016 BillC48 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Scoring of Runs - Question concerning interpretation of Section 5.7 I started this conversation and came across a portion of the rules that doesn't seem to jive with my original interpretation. Section 8.1 Touching Bases in Order, states " E. Failure of a preceding runner to touch a base or to leave a base legally on a caught fly ball and who is declared out does not affect the status of a succeeding runner who touches the bases in proper order. However, if the preceding runner were to be called out for the third out of the inning, no succeeding runner may score a run. Doesn't this seem to contradict Section 5.7?? |
| Dec. 5, 2016 BillC48 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Scoring of Runs - Question concerning interpretation of Section 5.7 Thanks for the quick response. I looked at some of the older rule books and noticed that a few tears back 5.7 B(3) read: "A preceding runner is declared out on an appeal play." I assume the a that point the run from second would not have counted. Why the change? |
| Dec. 5, 2016 BillC48 | Topic: Rules of the game Discussion: Scoring of Runs - Question concerning interpretation of Section 5.7 Runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out. Batter flies out to right field and both runners tag to advance, runner on 3rd leaves a little early and umpire observes the early departure. Throw goes towards 3rd baseman and is thrown directly into the 3rd base dugout. Runner from 2nd gets 1 bag and scores. The defensive team appeals that the runner from 3rd left early and the umpire agrees and calls the runner out, eliminating that run. The question is, does the run that scored from second count or does the appeal eliminate the run. I believe because it wasn't a force play, the run from second counts, but would like that either confirmed or corrected. |
