The Good Old 8-3 Play

Question
Mark,

It has been a quiet year, lacking the usual controversies that I trouble you with. Our final game, however, saved the season with a question.

In coed slow pitch, ASA rules, a female batter hit a line drive to center field that a male outfielder played on one bounce. When he threw to first base, the umpire ruled immediately that an outfielder cannot throw out a woman at first base, "Safe!" (Moot point, because she was safe as the throw bounced and was kicked away.)

Our league does not have a local rule regarding this, but I recall seeing such rules. Is there an ASA rule that addresses this?

Thank you!

Ken Boos


Answer
Hi Ken,

Nice to talk with you again.

There is no such ASA rule re: that an outfielder cannot throw out a woman at first base.  

I've done co-ed up to the highest level and have seen this play many times.  The runner, male or female, is out.  At the pre-tournie clinic we always brief our umpires to be prepared for this play.

mark

ps, you also see this quite often in the lower levels of women's play.