Umpiring Calls

QuestionHi Dr. Ambrose, I had a few situations pop up this weekend at a 10U B national qualifier tournament. 1) R1 at 1st, groundball to F4. F4 tagged the

the crow hop

QuestionHey Mark - simple question regarding pitching: Does the pitchers foot have to be on the rubber when the ball is released? AnswerHi Tim, basically

Fielder interfering with a runner

QuestionThere was a runner on first with two outs.  I hit a ball to right field and it looked like I would get a double or triple.  The baserunne

Base Runners Retreating

QuestionRunners on first and second, 1 out. Ball hit to SS who fields it cleanly and looks to tag the runner who was on second now running to 3rd. The runn

inning ending out, time limit

QuestionI was going to ask a question about an umpire calling ballgame immediately after the third out of the bottom 1/2 of an inning (not the last) with t

Runner interfernce

QuestionA runner is running towards 3rd base and the fielder is blocking the base with ball in a non-force out situation.  In an attempt to reach the

Overturning a call

QuestionDuring our U12 ASA girls slowpitch game, the home plate umpire(the only umpire on the field) made an out call at 1st base.  Upon complaints by

Umpires ruling

QuestionHey Mark, I was catcher in the middle of a high school softball game. The batter had 2 strikes on her, and there were 2 outs. The ball was pitched,

HELP!

QuestionI have recently just started to think about playing softball. Im 15 and have good hand-eye coordination, but Im not so consistent with my batting.

Altered Bat.....

Questiona team in our league was discovered using an altered bat.  They were the second place team.  As a manager I just got an email saying the

out of order batter

QuestionWe have a huge controversy in our division.  The last game we played the opposing team received an out for batting out of order, but they said

ASA Slow pitch softball - 10th player out rule?

QuestionWe just had a league game where we had a questionable call that I would like clarified if you can.  We were playing a team that had only 9 pla

Windmill pitch counts

QuestionI have a daughter who pitched 15 games in a 2 day period, took 1 day rest, practiced on the next day, traveled, then pitched again. She is pitching

Presentation for a legal pitch

Question If the pitcher steps on the rubber and has both feet in contact with the rubber, her hands are apart, and the ball is in her glove.  Before

Ball hits home plate

QuestionASA slow pitch - a batted ball hits home plate and rolls in front of home plate between the foul lines.  I believe that the ball is fair, beca

What would your call have been?

QuestionI have read a few questions here that are similar, but havent found one that is exactly the question that I have. 1 out - Runners on 2nd & 3rd, ba

Umpire interference with batter-runner

QuestionWhat happens when an umpire impedes a base runner? Situation: Bases loaded, 2 outs, bottom of last inning. Batter hits a deep line drive into the

Coed softball - postioning - slowpitch

QuestionHi Dr. Mark, I have read the past questions/answers here about the defensive coed (ASA slow pitch) positions, but I still have a few questions. 1.

Ball Travels Out of Bounds...

QuestionQUESTION: Dear Dr. Mark R Ambrose, During a game tonight, the following happened: We had a runner on 1st -our next batter hit an infield ground b

Bunting ASA

Question In a response from a question on 7/6/07 on bunting, you stated If the bat is in front of the plate when the ball passes it it is a strike. Even if