Ran into a bit of a controversy yesterday at the 55M Worlds. The batter lined 2 balls back towards the Catcher, one ball glanced off the umpire, the second came back at the catcher and the catcher caught the ball. When the catcher caught the ball, there was two strikes. The ball was caught at head height and was at least well above the batter's head. This in my opinion is an out. What say you??
Pitch Count/ Men and Women 40, 50, 55 and 60 Age Divisions•Starting count is 1-1. (Note: In Men's & Women's 40 Masters, the pitch count is 1-1 with NO extra foul ball. In Men's & Women's 50, 55 and 60s, the pitch count is 1-1 WITH an extra foul ball). •Batter walks after 3 balls. Batter is out after 2 strikes. •On foul tips that are caught in the air, the ball must go higher than the batter's head for an out to be recorded.
So it is the umpire's discretion of deciding if the ball goes above the batter's head or not...based on the rule I copied...the batter is not an out yet...
I'm 6'4" and the batter was under 6 feet, so it was definitely over his head. I was under the impression that the rule in regards to a ball lined back at the catcher that is caught was an out? I believe the rule changed a few years ago to address this?
gonedeep43.. if in the UMPIRES judgement (not the catcher) the ball went over the batters head then it should have been ruled a catch and an out.. if the umpire ruled it a foul tip then that would be considered a dead ball and and an out only if it was the final strike
1.29 • FOUL TIP
A foul tip is batted ball that goes directly from the bat, not higher than the batter's head, to the catcher's hand(s) or glove and is legally caught by the catcher. EFFECT: The ball is dead on all foul tips and the batter is out if it is the final strike.
men’s and women’s 50+ divisions and men’s 55+ and 60+ divisions will be allowed only 3 balls and/or 2 strikes, and all batters will start with a 1-1 ball/strike count.
There will be a "waste foul" available to a batter after there are two strikes in the count.
Gonedeep43 in ssusa a foul tip has to be above the batters head for it to be ruled on out if the catcher catches it.
You are correct the rule did change—in usssa and I believe it did in USA (asa)
Any foul tip that’s caught by the catcher is an out.
Foul tip in softball...…….pfft.
What it the heck does that mean?
How does a major player have 2 foul tips in 1 at bat in softball. Pitcher must have had some major junk!
ju25,
Because they are in actuality treated in the same manner as just a regular foul ball. SSUSA virtually covers this in the definitions sections in 1.28 FOUL BALL.
Why not make it easy for the umpire and the players any foul ball caught is an out.
I hear ya L. Total discrimination against those that are vertically challenged
