Splint on throwing thumb

Question
I have a player who needs to wear a splint on her throwing thumb. It is essentially a small rubber plastic brace. The doctor suggests that when playing she use a batting glove over top to ensure it does not move around. The brace is on her throwing hand (right hand in this case). Is this permissable in game play for this medical situation?
Response
Assuming the splint is properly padded and the player is NOT pitching, it would be allowed.
A splint may be worn, if padded. Rule 2.6.
There is no rule to prevent a player (other than the pitcher) from wearing a batting glove on her throwing hand.

Dropped Third strike

Question
Ball is pitched, Batter swings and misses for third strike, ball hits in dirt behind plate, catcher catches cleanly (no drop).
Is the batter out or can she attempt to get to first if not tagged or thrown out?

Response
It would depend on the situation. How many outs are there? Was First Base occupied at the time of the pitch?

If there are two outs or First Base is not occupied, the batter becomes a batter-runner who may advance to First Base.

If there are less than two outs and First Base is occupied, the batter is out.

See Rule 7 Sec 14 para D:
A batter shall be called out when:
A third strike (in flight) is not caught, provided a runner occupies first base at the time of the pitch and there are less than two outs.
NOTE: If there are two outs or if no runner occupies first base, the batter is not out unless the third strike is caught. The batter is entitled to try to reach first base before being tagged out or thrown out.

Circle on uniform

Question
I've been asked about our team logo on the front of our jersey. The logo contains a small yellow softball. I know in Little League we couldn't have a ball of any kind showing. I can't find anything under USSSA that addresses a ball or yellow circle on the uniform.
Response
A ball or circle that looks like a ball would be illegal on the glove.
We have nothing that addresses a ball or circle on the uniform.

Courtesy Runner

Question
On the courtesy runner rule.Usssa rule is that the cr is locked in for the pitcher or catcher for that half inning. Federation is the cr is locked in for the pitcher or catcher for the entire game. The way our rule reads the cr is only locked in for that half inning , is that correct?
Response
Yes

Coach outside dugout

Question
Is there any rule that governs whether a coach can stand behind home plate and call pitch placement out to the batter based on where the catcher sets up? Such as, "she's coming low outside?" ..."inside pitch" ...etc. I've tried looking in the rule book but am unable to find where this might be included? It seems to me that it is at least unethical...if not against the official rules.

Response
It is covered in RULE 11. SPORTSMANSHIP
Sec 2. A coach, player, substitute, attendant or other bench personnel shall not:
M. Enter the area behind the catcher while the opposing pitcher and catcher are in their
positions.
PENALTY J-R: If it is the FIRST OFFENSE and is judged to be of a minor nature, an offending player may be warned or an offending coach may be restricted to the bench. If not minor or a subsequent offense, the Umpire shall eject the offender from the game.
That includes the area behind the catcher, outside of the fence.

Base running rule

Question
The situation is when you have one or no outs. The team at bat usually has a runner on when this occurs. The girl at bat hits into a fielders choice at which time the lead runner is out either by touching the base or the runner. The lead runner continues to run the bases at game speed, instead of getting out of the way, just stopping or heading back to the dugout.

This tends to cause some confusion on the field as the defense thinks that the lead runner is still in play and not allowing them to focus on the girl who hit the ball but rather they focus on the lead runner. The girl can be on first, second or third when this has happened and most of the time the team at bats dugout is on the first base side. This has also happened with no runners on and the batter is thrown out at first, but is not as big of an issue other than someone getting hit by the ball when they think the play is over. I would appreciate something in writing so I can have for our records on this ruling.


Response
Interference is always a judgement call but I would think interference should be ruled in the situation described.
The way I read the explanation, the runner would have to know she was out.
The runner was either tagged or the base she was going to was touched AND hopefully a verbal call was made by the umpire.
Possibly there is some confusion such as it is not clear the fielder controlled the ball. However even then why would the runner who thought she was not out continue to advance if the fielder was there with the ball.

Stealing Home

Question
IN THE GIRLS 10UNDER, WITH THE PLAYER PITCHING, IS STEALING HOME ALLOWED?

Response
Yes