12U - Hitting a Curve Ball

QuestionTom - I coach a 12U fastpitch team. For most of the girls this is their first experience with facing pitchers who my throw a curveball. Is there an

Passed balls vs wild pitch

QuestionOur coach seems to have a different view of passed ball vs wild pitch.  His daughter is pitcher.  He rules passed ball on catcher even wh

DH in 10U???

QuestionHi Mr. Mielke. I am just a mom of an 11 year old girl crying her eyes out.  She played in a tournament ASA sanctioned where her coach didnt l

best umpire books

QuestionOther than the ASA fastpitch softball rule book, are there some softball umpire books or DVDs you would recommend for umpires to better their skill

Interference?...Penalty?

QuestionI have read through the rules on this and I am pretty sure I know the right answer...wanted to get your take on this situation. This situation occu

coach deceiving fielder

QuestionHigh School Rules - 13-14 age group.  Runner on third with one out.  1 ball and 1 strike count.  Drop curve in the dirt, batter swin

Interference / Runners obligation

QuestionRunner on 1st advances towards second on a fair ball hit to F5.  F5 flips ball to F4 for the force out.  F4 attempts a DP to F3 but the t

Running backwards to avoid tag on bunt

QuestionRunners on 2nd & 3rd.  Batter bunts ball or puts ball in play down 1st base line... 1st basemen fields the ball then trys to tag runner.  

Runner turning left instead of right at first base.

QuestionWhat is the rule when a runner advances to first base after a dropped third strike, or anytime for that matter, and turns to the left to return to

Followup to interference/deception

QuestionThanks for the previous answer.  Is there also no penalty for the runner who runs to first with only two strikes to draw the throw.  Seem

slap hitters

QuestionNever had umps call slap hitters out for bunting until this year. Whats the arguement with umps calling slap hitters out on a 2 strike foul.Bat cro

Out of the baseline?

Question3rd base runner advances home on a fly ball caught by the 1st baseman. 1st baseman overthrows the catcher. The 3rd base runner crosses home and hea

ASA softball.

QuestionQUESTION: runner on first, fair ball hit to right field, fielder touched it in fair territory and then fumbled it and eventually knocked it out of

Appeallable Play

QuestionBall either hits batter or hits bat.  Home plate umpire calls foul ball, ruling the ball hit the bat prior to hitting the batter. The offensi

Strike Zone in slow pitch softball.

QuestionMy friend and I are having an arguement over where exactly the strike zone is.  We agree that it is knee and back shoulder, however he says th

catching a ball an than going out of play

QuestionWe had a girl that caught a ball in centerfield and then went out of play over the fence.  Is the batter out and then runners advance one base

ASA fast pitch 14U intentional walk

QuestionIs there any rule that prevents a pitch intended to create an intentional walk, to be made behind the batter? The purpose would be to gain an advan

DP as pitcher

QuestionCan a player that starts as a DP sub in for a pitcher?  If so when the DP is subbed back out of the pitcher slot, can the original pitcher ret

follow up

QuestionRegarding the question about the fielder catching a fly ball and then going over the outfield fence - I was under the impression that that was the

Softball. Force Play at First

QuestionI was umping a camp game of high school age boys when there was a throw to first that would have ended the game. We only use a single base so the f