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Online now: 1 member: TABLE SETTER 11; 177 anonymousDiscussion: Foul Tip
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| July 13, 2022 jgoff5113 Men's 60 66 posts | Foul Tip I need a brief tutorial on a batted foul ball that doesn't go higher than the batter's head. The relevant paragraphs from the "2019-2020 Official Senior Softball-USA Rulebook" seem to be on page 6. These are 1.28.F and 1.29. My questions are: 1. Is the 2019-2020 edition the current edition of the Rulebook? 2. My interpretation of the current rules as I read them in those two sections is that it doesn't matter whether the catcher catches the ball "cleanly" with his hand/glove, or traps the ball against his body; in either case, the batter is not out unless he had already used up his courtesy foul (if any). In other words, if the batted ball doesn't go over the batter's head and the catcher gets it out of the air (cleanly or not), it is NOT considered a catch. Is this correct? 3. Section 1.28.F is in bold type, indicating that it was changed in the 2019-2020 edition. Does anyone know what was changed (i.e. what the previous rule was)? Thanks in advance, experts! |
| July 13, 2022 Bigtimer40 16 posts | I do know that our league adopted the rule: There is no “Foul Tip”. Any pitched ball that contacts the bat and is caught by the catcher results in the batter being out. Im not sure if this was amended in the rule book or not. |
| July 13, 2022 B.J. 1105 posts | jgoff.. 1).. yes 2) if the ball does not go over the batters head it would only be an out if it's the FINAL strike and catching the ball doesn't matter ... anything less than a final strike is considered a foul tip (strike on the batter) whether it is caught or not. 3) I believe the wording was changed from 3rd strike to final strike |
| July 13, 2022 jgoff5113 Men's 60 66 posts | Thank-you B.J. So my interpretation is correct. To state it another way, a foul ball that doesn't go higher than the batter's head is treated as an "uncatchable" foul ball, whether it is actually caught or not. |
| July 13, 2022 DirkPitt 33 posts | I haven't heard the term "uncatchable" before but I think I understand your intent. If ruled a "foul tip," the ball is dead immediately and if the final strike, the batter is called out. The fact the catcher does/does not catch the ball is irrelevant. If the ball is over the batter's head, and legally caught by the catcher, the batter is out on the catch regardless of the count and the ball is live (i.e. runners can advance). |
| July 13, 2022 jgoff5113 Men's 60 66 posts | I agree with you DirkPitt. Another way to state it would be that a foul tip (defined as a batted foul ball that doesn't go higher than the batter's head) is treated as if it wasn't caught, even if it was. |
| July 15, 2022 cw Men's 65 79 posts | Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think this rule is consistent across associations. Would any of the umpires or rule makers out there care to comment? |
| July 15, 2022 stick8 1991 posts | BJ is correct about the SSUSA rule on this. ISSA and SPA I’m not sure about. Whatever association tournament you’re team is playing in its always good to refer to that particular association rulebook on this and other situations before you play. BJ can correct me if I’m wrong but as I understand it any rule that is not covered by SSUSA, ISSA or SPA rulebooks is referred to the USA (formerly ASA) rulebook. As an aside, I umpire young man ball for One Nation. Any foul tip below the batters shoulder caught by the catcher is an out no matter how many strikes are on the batter. |
| July 18, 2022 Nancy Allen Men's 55 1438 posts | I only know of one adult association that does not require the ball to go over the batter's head. So when we have umpires from that association, I always stress that with them. They changed the rule quite a few years ago and only requires an effort by the catcher. The only thing that makes sense about it in my mind is that on a ball coming back that the umpire might pull their head and not actually be sure if the ball went over the batter's head or not. There was a big controversy about it in Champaign years back, and the director came and got me to resolve it. I was in the dugout with our team at the time. So anyone that is familiar with that tournament of days passed will know who that director was. |
| July 19, 2022 cw Men's 65 79 posts | Yes Nancy, that is where I was going with my previous comment. The ball has to be caught directly (cleanly) into the glove or bare hand and can't be trapped against your body. |
