base running and sliding 16 u girls fastpitch softball

Question
Do the runners have to slide into the base they are going to if there is a play at that base?. The umpires told me no that they can't force a girl to slide for insurance reasons ASA RULES. I told them they have to slide in feet first and can't slide in head fisrt. This happened in a semi-final game with a play at third base the girl didn't slide and made contact the girl covering third base with the ball

Answer
Hi Bob,

The umpires were correct. A slide in NEVER required, feet first, head first or sideways.  A runner cannot crash into a defensive player who has the ball but may try to avoid them w/in the 3' rule if a tag is being attempted.  Some contact in softball is just part of the game but as I stated earlier a "crash" is different.

"I told them they have to slide in feet first and can't slide in head fisrt."  With all respect where did you get this? it is nowhere in the rule book and should an umpire call an out because of it the game would be subject to the "P" word if a coach knew what they were doing.


Mark