Question
Rule 5.2 Playing Short - "Under no circumstances shall a team be allowed to have less than eight (8) players in the batting order". Very simple. However, a long discussion came out of this. If a team starts with 2 AP's (11 batters) can they drop to 8? My answer is no, they can only drop to 10. But "the black and white" Umpires kept bringing up the rule. As I explained, that portion of the rule is for starting a game and a game in progress with only 9 players.
Response
5.2 Playing Short.
The very first sentence says “A team shall be allowed to play one player short”.
You are correct if you start with 2 APs batting 11, you may go down to 10 but no lower.
And for those that need every case spelled out:
If you start with 1 AP batting 10, you may go down to 9 but no lower.
If you start batting 9, you may go down to 8 but no lower.
5.2.B refers to a team starting shorthanded. The last sentence you quoted is meant to emphasis that a team starting with eight players may not go down any further. The team is really playing with a nine player line-up with the first eight batting positions filled and the ninth vacant.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Pitcher's step
Question
In the pitching I can across this and would like to know what was meant to be printed. Seems a little odd the way it is worded.
Rule 6 Sec 1 E 2
Once the hands are brought together, the pitcher shall not take more
than one-step, which must be forward, toward the batter and simultaneous
with the delivery. Any step backward shall begin before the
hands come together. The step backward may end before or after the
hands come together.
Response
The pitcher is allowed to take a step backwards before the pitch starts.
If the pitcher wants to step back with the non-pivot foot, she may do so prior to bringing the hands together.
Once the pitch starts, only one step may be taken and if taken, it must be forward, toward the batter and within the 24-inch length of the pitcher’s plate.
In the pitching I can across this and would like to know what was meant to be printed. Seems a little odd the way it is worded.
Rule 6 Sec 1 E 2
Once the hands are brought together, the pitcher shall not take more
than one-step, which must be forward, toward the batter and simultaneous
with the delivery. Any step backward shall begin before the
hands come together. The step backward may end before or after the
hands come together.
Response
The pitcher is allowed to take a step backwards before the pitch starts.
If the pitcher wants to step back with the non-pivot foot, she may do so prior to bringing the hands together.
Once the pitch starts, only one step may be taken and if taken, it must be forward, toward the batter and within the 24-inch length of the pitcher’s plate.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Batwarmer
Question
I am trying to get something definite on the use of bat warmers. With the high cost of composite bats and the possibility of breakage in cold weather it poses a problem. Not only for the cost of replacement but for safety as well. In the past our subs did their beat to keep the bats warm by holding them between their legs but were told they couldn't use their gloves with hand warmers. A simple blanket wrap doesn't do enough when the snow is blowing as it often does in the early March games. So what is the ruling? Can we use bat warmers with hand warmers thrown inside the warmer?
Response
The Pyroflite Batwarmer is the only bat warmer endorsed by USSSA at this time.
I am trying to get something definite on the use of bat warmers. With the high cost of composite bats and the possibility of breakage in cold weather it poses a problem. Not only for the cost of replacement but for safety as well. In the past our subs did their beat to keep the bats warm by holding them between their legs but were told they couldn't use their gloves with hand warmers. A simple blanket wrap doesn't do enough when the snow is blowing as it often does in the early March games. So what is the ruling? Can we use bat warmers with hand warmers thrown inside the warmer?
Response
The Pyroflite Batwarmer is the only bat warmer endorsed by USSSA at this time.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Runner enters dugout
Question
Theres a runner on 3rd base and the batter hits a foul ball but the umpire doesnt call foul ball, so the runner at 3rd thinks it a pass ball she scores and goes in the dung out. Then the umpire says it a foul ball. He puts the runner back on 3rd base. The other team says she should be out because she went into dead ball area. I would think the runner can go back because its a dead ball. Is that the correct call?
Response
The runner should be placed back on third base.
If a runner abandons their base and enters the dugout, then they are out. (8.18.Y)
However based on your description, that rule does not apply.
Theres a runner on 3rd base and the batter hits a foul ball but the umpire doesnt call foul ball, so the runner at 3rd thinks it a pass ball she scores and goes in the dung out. Then the umpire says it a foul ball. He puts the runner back on 3rd base. The other team says she should be out because she went into dead ball area. I would think the runner can go back because its a dead ball. Is that the correct call?
Response
The runner should be placed back on third base.
If a runner abandons their base and enters the dugout, then they are out. (8.18.Y)
However based on your description, that rule does not apply.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
3 Foot Lane Violation
Question
I have a question on a thrown ball from the catcher who just fielded a bunt throws to first base, the batter baserunner has not reached the 3ft running lane the thrown ball hits the runner in the back and the runner is on the line or just inside fair terr, is the runner out? Same question but the ball is on a dropped 3rd strike or a pass ball is the runner out?
Response
The batter-runner is not out unless the act was intentional. Since the batter-runner was less than half way done the line 8-17-E does not apply.
Note case book play under Three Foot Running Lane
SITUATION A: With the bases loaded, B4, who bats left-handed, hits a ground ball to F3, who is left-handed. The ball is just inside the foul line. F3 throws to F2, but hits B4, who is on her way to first base. B4 is in fair territory, but not reached the 30-foot running lane.
RULING: There is no violation, unless the batter-runner intentionally interfered with F3’s throw. (8-17-E, 8-18-F)
I have a question on a thrown ball from the catcher who just fielded a bunt throws to first base, the batter baserunner has not reached the 3ft running lane the thrown ball hits the runner in the back and the runner is on the line or just inside fair terr, is the runner out? Same question but the ball is on a dropped 3rd strike or a pass ball is the runner out?
Response
The batter-runner is not out unless the act was intentional. Since the batter-runner was less than half way done the line 8-17-E does not apply.
Note case book play under Three Foot Running Lane
SITUATION A: With the bases loaded, B4, who bats left-handed, hits a ground ball to F3, who is left-handed. The ball is just inside the foul line. F3 throws to F2, but hits B4, who is on her way to first base. B4 is in fair territory, but not reached the 30-foot running lane.
RULING: There is no violation, unless the batter-runner intentionally interfered with F3’s throw. (8-17-E, 8-18-F)
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Forfeit
Question
Had a situation this past weekend where a team could not finish the game because of lack of players. It was an official game at the time this took place and score was 2-0. We originally put down 7-0 for the forfeit but was brought to our attention that the game would actually go down as what it was at the current score according to the rulebook. Can you please explain this and why the rule is stated this way.
Response
The philosophy is if the teams have played enough for a regulation game, the game and all stats should stand.
7-0 is an arbitrary score based on one run per inning.
Our scoring of a forfeit game is consistent with most associations.
Rule 4 Sec 7. FORFEITED GAME
B. Score of a forfeited game is 7 to 0 unless the game is forfeited after the number of innings required for a regulation game and the offending team is behind, then the score remains as recorded. If the offending team is leading, the score shall be 7 to 0. All individual and team averages shall be included in the official records, except that no pitcher shall be credited with a victory or charged with a loss in such a game if it is not a regulation game.
Had a situation this past weekend where a team could not finish the game because of lack of players. It was an official game at the time this took place and score was 2-0. We originally put down 7-0 for the forfeit but was brought to our attention that the game would actually go down as what it was at the current score according to the rulebook. Can you please explain this and why the rule is stated this way.
Response
The philosophy is if the teams have played enough for a regulation game, the game and all stats should stand.
7-0 is an arbitrary score based on one run per inning.
Our scoring of a forfeit game is consistent with most associations.
Rule 4 Sec 7. FORFEITED GAME
B. Score of a forfeited game is 7 to 0 unless the game is forfeited after the number of innings required for a regulation game and the offending team is behind, then the score remains as recorded. If the offending team is leading, the score shall be 7 to 0. All individual and team averages shall be included in the official records, except that no pitcher shall be credited with a victory or charged with a loss in such a game if it is not a regulation game.
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