Double First Base

Question

when there is a play being made (throw) at first base from the infield... (2nd, ss, 3rd)
the first base man is completely on the orange bag, not touching any part of the white bag... when she receives the throw from the infield before the batter-runner touches first base... is the runner out or safe....
the book say the fielder must use the white portion of the bag & the runner must use the orange portion of the bag... unless there is errant throw or comming from foul terroritory... they can use either / or bag... (white / orange)
I would have obstuction on the first base man and the runner would be safe. other say she is out regardless of what side of the base they are touching... (white / orange)
some umpires think it is an appeal play, when it comes to play at first when the fielder is touching only the orange bag...


Response
Rule 8 Sec 19 Para B states "the defense must use the white portion"

There are exceptions but they do not seem to apply in the case given.
Since the first baseman is not on the white portion, she is off the portion she should be on. She is off the base and the batter-runner is safe.

In addition, it could also be obstruction and appropriate awards could be made.

Appeals are made by the defense on the offensive so that would not apply at all.
If the batter-runner touched the white portion, the defensive could appeal that she only touched the white and therefore missed the base.

Batter Runs

Question
this is fast pitch...girl on third, one out.. batter has 1 and 1 court...the ump yells out 1n1 ....the pitch comes in it's called strike two...the batter drops the bat and runs to first base...the catcher not knowing whats going on throws to first and the girl on third runs home....WHAT DO YOU HAVE ???

Response
Our rules interpretations are based on the principal that all players, both offense and defense, should be aware of the situation.
Therefore it is the catcher's responsibility to know the count.
As described, I would score the run and return the batter to the batter's box with a 1-ball & 2-strike count.

If this was an obvious and/or repetitive deceptive act on the part of the offense team, it could be ruled unsportsmanlike. This would result in an initial warning and returning the runner to third. Subsequent acts would be cause for ejection.

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Batter's box fair or foul territory?

Question
If a hit ball settles in the batter’s box and is untouched, is this a fair or foul ball?

Response
The batter's box spans both fair & foul territory. See diagram at bottom right of page 8 of the USSSA rulebook.
So an untouched ball can be either fair or foul. It depends on whether it settles over fair territory including home plate and the foul lines or foul territory.

DH Rule

Question
I keep score for the Forest Hill Heat and have a question about the
DH. Can the DH be used defensively for any player or can they only be
used for the person for whom they are batting?

For ex: Susie is DH for Sally who plays 3rd base.
Kathy plays 1st base.

Can Susie play 1st base and be in the field the same time
Sally is playing 3rd base.

Response

The short answer is NO.

There are two players occupying the same batting position - one playing offense and the other playing defense.
For the offensive player to play defense (or vice versa) the defensive play must come out of the game and the batting position now has just one player for the rest of the game. The original defensive player may re-enter but then the original offensive

Missed Base

Question
I had a situation this year in a 10U game where an opponent hit a three run home run. When she was rounding third base she missed the bag and perceeded to tag home plate and retreat to the dugout. My question is, what is the poper appeal process for me and how would the runner have to return to the base to be legal.
Reponse
If the runner has entered the dugout, she can not return to touch third base (Rule 9 Sec 6 para B)
If she has not entered the dugout and time has not been called, she may retouch home and go to third & then return to home.

Before the ball becomes dead, any fielder with the ball could touch third base (or the runner if she has not entered the dugout) and announce she is appealing.

After all play has completed, any coach or player can make a verbal appeal by simply stating to the umpire that they are appealing the runner missed third base.

Obstruction

Question
A batter hits a ball to right center field and attempts 2nd base. Rather than taking a position at 2nd base or towards the outfield as a relay, the fielder takes a position directly in the base line between 1st and 2nd about 6 to 7 feet from 2nd base towards 1st to recieve the ball. This position would have required the base runner to make a drastic course deviation close to 2nd base to avoid contact and still be able to get to the base. The throw comes in directly to the fielder and the runner is tagged as she trys to avoid a collision.

Is this Obstruction?

Response
Obstruction can be a very difficult judgement call.
In the situation you present, it could be obstruction or not depending on how exactly the play unfolded.
It is obstruction if a fielder blocks the runner's base path without possession of the ball.
However if the fielder gets out of the runner's way or receives the ball (even at the last moment) it is not obstruction.

Bunt with two strikes

Question
when I have two strike can I bunt?


Response
Yes you may bunt with two (2) strikes.
If the bunt is fair, the play stands.
However if the bunt is foul, it is strike 3 and you are out (Rule 7 Sec 5 para E & Rule 7 Sec 14 para C