asa fast pitch.

Question
Scott,runner on first in both case. pitcher has foot on the rubber to start motion. she drops the ball. what is the call regarding the batter and runner. # 2 pitcher starts delivery and drops the ball.what is the call regarding batter and runner.

             thank you

Answer
Hi Dave,

Thank you for your question.  Let's look at ASA Rule 6-11, DROPPED BALL: "If the ball slips from the pitcher's hand during the delivery, a ball is declared on the batter, the ball will remain live and the runner(s) may advance at their own risk."

So, in #1, the pitcher couldn't have even started her delivery yet, since she didn't have both feet on the pitching plate, so we have a dropped live ball, the Look Back Rule goes out the window, the runner on 1B can advance at her own risk, and the batter in unaffected.

In #2, the pitcher is in her delivery, so we have a dropped live ball, the Look Back Rule goes out the window, the runner on 1B can advance at her own risk, and the batter has a ball added to her count.  If ball four, it's the same as a garden variety ball four: the batter-runner is entitled to 1B and her teammate runner is entitled to 2B, and both can advance beyond at their own risk.

Scott Kelly