Coaches Box

QuestionQUESTION: Hey, Im am trying to find out clarification on a ruling for interference.  During a foul pop up if the defensive player runs into

Skunk-in-the-Grass

QuestionRunners on first (R1) and third (R3) with no outs. After the pitch leaves the pitchers hand, R1 leaves first base in a direct line to the edge of

Basepath, 3-Foot Running Lane, Attempted Tag

QuestionUSFA Rules are silent on this situation. 1 out, R-1 on 2nd base. Batter hits 3-hopper to F3, who was playing in for possible bunt. BR starts runnin

Verbal Obstruction?

QuestionDr. Mark,   I really enjoyed your response to the pitcher抯 verbal obstruction asked by a previous questioner, as I feel strongly along the sam

FastPitch Pitching rules

QuestionI am a volunteer coach for a recreation league which is suppose to follow HS regulations for fastpitch.  I am playing a team this Wednesday (1

NSA Extra Player Rule

QuestionI know this is an NSA question, I can not even begin to figure out the DP/Flex ASA Rules. We are currently playing with a roster of 10 girls. I nee

Girls softbal high school level

QuestionIs there a limit on how many girls a pitcher can hit in a game?  The opposing pitcher hit 7 of our batters tonight and really hurt 2 of them

ASA Flex Player - Please confirm role at start of game

QuestionThis question pertains to ASA 14U Fastpitch. At the beginning of a game, if a designated player (DP) is listed as a batter and FLEX player is list

Trail runner surpassing lead runner

QuestionThis happen in about my second year of umpiring. Never had a definite answer. Book says that a runner has to physically pass the runner in front of

overthrow and over ruling umpire

Questionif an infielder catches a ball in the outfield and then overthrows a ball attempting to throw a runner out, are the runners awarded one base or two

Verbal Obstruction

QuestionASA rules, we recently played a team that constantly screamed as our pitcher was releasing her pitch. The opposing team would chant, the normal thi

Pick off play at first

QuestionAfter the ball leaves the pitchers hand and the base runner at first assumes a lead off, what PORTION of first base must be clear for the runner to

orange part of first base

QuestionIf the fielder touches the orange part of first base,( ball in possession)  but not white part of base before runner get to first base is the

Interference on throw to second

QuestionHi Mark: First let me say how much I appreciate the great work you do for this site - I have learned a lot from reading your answers. Heres the s

advancing a runner

QuestionThis just happened yesterday during a tournament game my grandaughter was playing in. We had 2 outs on our opponents, a batter hit the ball to shor

Infielders positioning

QuestionWhat is the ASA rule (co-ed) for the positioning of the infielders such as the shortstop or second base playing deep (say 5 or 6 steps into the gra

Walk off walk

QuestionQUESTION: Dr. Ambrose, On a topic dated 6/11/08, you stated that in a situation with bases loaded, winning run on third, two outs, and a base on ba

occupied base

QuestionWhat constitutes an occupied first base on a dropped 3rd strike?   When there is a runner on first base and a 3rd strike is dropped, the runne

tagging up to advance a base

QuestionI have not found the answer to this in the rules. I play in slow pitch mens league softball (ASA). we had a guy on first and a fly ball to LF. as s

Softball interference/obstruction

QuestionHi, Thanks for the help.  Great info. 3 Questions, all from our game last night - that we won. 1.  Runner on Second, ground ball to SS. &