Blueump

Most of the slow-pitch softball teams I am familiar with play under ASA rules. A batter/runner that retreats in any way back to home plate (frontwards, backwards or even sideways) is immediately out under ASA Rule 8-2-H.

Michigan has an automatic 2 game suspension for anyone leaving the dug-out during a fight. The umpires should just stand back, take numbers and afterward, determine if there are enough players and/or coaches left to complete the game. Then prepare to file a report by noon the next day.

While watching each team take "infield" prior to a game, what things specifically do you watch for?

​Sometimes it is. I frequently do games that have a time limit (no inning shall begin after 1:45 min). It looks a bit awkward to pull out your cell phone to check the time, and who really wears watches anymore?

It is also a FED softball rule

Does the coach need to give a reason for a player to be removed from the game? Situation: FED rules - A team starts with the minimum number of starting players - no subs are available. After the first pitch the coach calls for time and one player comes off the field. Coach declares that they will finish the game one player short. Legal? What if they batted first and the coach wanted to remove a player - does the removed player need to initially take a spot on the field? My thought is that the players are officially "in the game" at the moment the line-ups are turned in at the pre-game meeting. If they are playing one short, they can do it any time after that? Is it any of our business why they are removed?

Doing a varsity game last night and I have the plate. I have a play at the plate with the runner sliding and the catcher putting on a tag...too late. I'm a little curious, as I call the runner safe, that the catcher seems to keep the tag on the player who scored. The momentum of the slide carries the player past the plate and the catcher continues to keep the glove on the player. When they both come to rest the catcher still keeps the tag on and looks up at me again. With the glove still on the player he begins to point to where there is now an obvious space between the plate and the player. "He's not on the base!' he says. I couldn't even answer! I just started laughing! Apparently he didn't get it!

​Do you have any promotional information on this school? I'm interested!

But can you return to 3rd after touching home plate? So basically my question would be is it an appeal at home plate or an appeal at 3rd base. And if they appealed at the wrong place they wouldn't get a second shot!

Fed Rules: R2 & R3 with 2 out. R3 gets in a run-down between 3rd base and home. R2 is creeping toward 3rd base. R3 is obstructed by F1 who is still standing in the baseline after participating in the pickle. Ultimately R3 slides back into 3rd safely...but the action is not finished! Now they have R2 caught between 2nd and 3rd, and R2 is tagged for the 3rd out. I know this is a delayed dead ball, so wait till all the action has ceased, but do you award R3 home and count the run? Does the out on R2 stand?

FED rules: R3 with one out. Batter hits a towering fly ball to left field. R3 fails to tag and crosses home plate. Realizing the ball is caught he returns to 3rd base (without retouching home plate) where he slides in safely. What and where should the appeal be, if any is needed, and what should you call?

I'll let you know what I use...once the snow melts!

FED rules: 1. You show up to find (or discover during a contest) that one of the coaches has a child, or young children in their care in the dugout. Is this covered in the rules or casebook? 2. You show up to a game where one of the umpires has a child and wants to keep them in the dugout. (My wife is a HS softball coach and this has happened to her TWICE this year!) What would you do in both of these situations?

One time, and only one time ever, I was hit square in the chest while in "C". Ouch!

Personally, I could care less what a coach is wearing. I have much more to worry about than fashion patrol for adults in a youth game. With that said, if a coach starts to complain about calls...his clothing that doesn't adhere to the rules will suddenly become an issue.

No, the batter did not reach first base. Run can not score.

​I'm not sure I understand your question. An assistant coach ejection is not an automatic ejection for the head coach, however, if the head coach does something in response to the ejection of his assistant that warrants his own ejection, then sure. Also, if the head coach and the assistant coach conspired to do something intentionally in violation of the rules, they can also both be ejected. We may need a few more details of the situation to answer further.

Why would an umpire even want to start patrolling this? There is nothing to call, nothing has happened that violates the rules. The umpire has nothing to base his "stop it" on. Now when the same batter takes the subsequent fastball upside his head from a frustrated pitcher...we may have a violation to call.

1. U1 not covering 3rd base in two-man mechanics leaving U2 hanging high and dry! 2. Not verbalizing or signaling the count - so the coaches and players are always asking "what's the count". 3. Not cleaning the plate (yes, even with his shoe!) 3. Worse than anything is a partner who "thinks they are too good" to conduct a pre or post game, leaves the field after the game without waiting for you to even get off the field and has NO communication (verbal or signals) during the game. I won't mention names!

There is no rule preventing it, or allowing it. I think most umpires would allow it, unless of course their are "extenuating circumstances".

So R2 with one out. BR hits an easy ground ball to F6. R2 collides with F6 as he begins to throw to first base. Of course you call an immediate dead ball and declare R2 out. But, since there was no way they would have turned a "double play" on the ball, but a typical throw from F6 would have retired the BR, do you call the BR out as well? I'm just trying to grasp this whole thing...

I agree. The coach explaining that neither team "is that way" is exactly the point- not letting them get that way! I had two local teams this week where the players on each side knew each other well - most were even related. After the first inning I had to have a conversation with both coaches letting them know that the taunting and comments going back and forth between the friends was not going to be tolerated, even though it all "started in fun". I didn't want to have to deal with the "end" when somebody's feelings got hurt. Or if someone took something personal.

Does a double play need to be likely for the B/R to be called out or is he out if the fielder could have and most likely would have thrown him out had the interference not occurred? Wouldn't you have the runner out for interference AND the batter/runner out if you judged he would have been thrown out?

Or a lot faster games!

They don't need to call "time". The ball is dead and can't be put in play until the pitcher is on the rubber preparing to pitch, the batter is in the box ready to hit and U1 calls "play". If you have a lazy partner who doesn't say it, the other two still have to occur. From the sounds of things, the pitcher was only on the dirt and the batter had not yet taken his place in the box. The team decides to confer with the pitcher during the dead ball and the runner takes off for home. Sorry R3, you need to go back. I frequently see the same thing happen in youth ball after a foul.