Illegal Pitch/Appeals

Question
QUESTION: Mark,

I had an asa playoff game that I had where I called Illegal Pitches as soon as I saw they were illegal pitches.  Most of them I called were flat pitches.  I would simply say "Ball" or "Flat".  The coach on the one team insisted that I am not supposed to call the illegal pitch until after it crosses the plate.  That make no sense to me.  My understanding is that I call the Illegal Pitch as soon as I see it and that gives the batter the option of taking the ball or swinging at the pitch.  Am I not correct?  Additionally, There was a play where the runner was trying to stretch a single into a double and the field umpire called him safe.  I could clearly see the play and the runner was out.  The defensive team asked the field umpire for an appeal, which he granted, and then conferenced with me.  I asked him if he was sure of the safe and he said he was.  He asked me what I saw and I stated to him that he appeared out to me.  I told him since the call was his, he had to reverse or stick with his call.  He reversed the call and called the runner out.  The other team protested that it was not a play that could be appealed.  Was this an appealable play?  Was I right in stating the decision was the field Umpire's call to change?

ANSWER: HI John,

The coach doesn't know what he's talking about in ASA!!!!!!!! He might play in some other org that doesn't call it until it hits the ground.

In ASA play the umpire manual tells you to give the ddb signal and call "illegal" loud enough for nearby players to hear as soon as the pitch becomes illegal.

So quit using "ball" because it's only a ball if the batter does not swing, or "flat" or "high" or whatever.  "Illegal" will do just fine and is the accepted mechanic.

OK this not an appeal play, it is a partner going for help.  We only go for help when we feel we need it, such as being blocked out, poor position, a possible bobbled ball which we didn't see due to a # of reasons, etc.  Now your partner came for help for some reason, he should do the talking to start with "John, I might have been blocked out (or whatever), what did you see?"and you told him what you saw, NOT "john what do you have" .  It is his decision and his call.  

We only change the call based on new information. In this case if he decided he was blocked out or whatever, the proper procedure is for you to call both coaches over, HE tells them "coach, I was blocked out (or whatever the reason is) my partner had a good look and a good angle and we have an out".  

If this was a bang-bang slide and tag at 2nd it's a tough sell to the offense as you are at least 80-90' from the play and he is 10-12' (or at least he should be)from it.

Mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Mark,  Thanks again for all your help in 2008.  I am already thinking about 2009.  Where can I find the ASA rule changes for 2009?  Is there a particular site I can go to?  Please let me know and hope all is well with you.

Answer
Hi john,

here you go, you can also check the ASA website, if they're not up yet they should be soon along w/ explanations

1) Conferences -managers will be allowed to confer with their pitcher prior to making a decision  to remove them. If removed, it will not be a charged conference.

2) Move modified maximum fence distance to 325 feet.

3) There must be a certification mark on the bat and it must appear on the 'approved' bat list.

4) Add the word 'dents' was added to rule 3-1f

5) Added wording to allow interchangeable bat components in the future.

6) Optic yellow ball mandatory in slow pitch championships in 2010.

7) Players wearing metal cleats in games where they are not allowed, will be ejected if not removed after a warning.

8) Eliminates disqualification from the penalty for unreported subs.

9) Establish home run limits for women's slow pitch.

10) Changed home run limits in several slow pitch classes.

11) Class D slow pitch will allow 2 home runs and no longer have the inning ending out. Excess home runs would be outs.

12)  Adult fast pitch run ahead rule changed to 7 runs after five innings.

13)  Men's A slow pitch ONLY: Run ahead rule to 20 after 4 innings and 15 after 5 innings.

14)  Add Men's 45-over to the women's and girl's JO tiebreaker rule.

15) Clarification: Add a sentence to have the pitcher take the pitching position with hands separated and the ball in either the hand or the glove.

16) Fast Pitch: penalty for pitcher taking over 20 seconds is a ball on the batter and not an illegal pitch.

17) Specific powdered resins may be allowed by pitchers if approved and on the approved list.

18)  All slow pitch: batters will enter the batters box with a 1-ball and 1-strike count. All other rules stay the same. NO extra or grace foul ball.

19) Add Masters to the list of slow pitch classifications which do not have to run out home runs.

20) Add this to rule 8 section 5 i: when a fair batted ball goes off a fence, and then a fielder, then over the fence, it is a ground rule double (previously a home run).

21)  clarify that ANY defensive player may appeal during a live ball.

22) Rule 8 section 10 to reflect ALL fast pitch can use a courtesy runner.

Also please be aware that the Non Approved bat list will eliminate all bats that were not approved and do not have an ASA marking. This will reduce the number of bats on the list significantly.
Bat check:
Step 1- no ASA mark, remove the bat.
Step 2- bat on the non approved bat list, remove the bat.
Step 3- after ringing the bat and checking the surface for dents, cracks, rattles, etc. check the approved bat list if questions arise.