Safe Haven?

[NavyChiefBlue]

Finished up my adult babysitting duties last night, a real snoozer, 10 consecutive walks in the 3rd inning, maybe 5 generous strikes called by my partner, so I head over to the complex next door and watch a coed softball game. Team A has bases loaded, and the B/R hits a rope the hits the girl on 3rd base (it barely nicked her arm, or else she might have been seriously hurt. An inning or so later, I asked the umpire if she should have been called out. He said, "no, as long as she is on the base." I asked him if the base is a safe haven and he said "Yes". I clarified before asking the question, that I work baseball, and I'm just wondering. I have no dog in the fight per say, just an innocent bystander.

Is this the correct call for softball?

Thanks!

Brent

[kylehutson]

I'm not a "softball guy" either (so take my statements with that caveat), but I do remember reading that in softball, that is true - that touching a base is a safe haven for being hit by a batted ball, unless there's intentional interference.

[Forest Ump]

Corrrect. You can not be called out if you are hit by the ball  while on the base in the game of softball. A major rule difference between the two sports.

[NavyChiefBlue]

Thanks guys, much appreciated.

[LittleBlue]

This is good to know as a baseball guy who is also looking at working some softball games in the next season or two.

[BT_Blue]

On 10/17/2016 at 7:48 AM, Forest Ump said:

Corrrect. You can not be called out if you are hit by the ball  while on the base in the game of softball. A major rule difference between the two sports.

Wonder of this is because they can not lead off pre pitch? Making them basically anchored to the base.

[Mudisfun]

On 10/22/2016 at 9:44 AM, BT_Blue said:

Wonder of this is because they can not lead off pre pitch? Making them basically anchored to the base.

I would think that as well as 60' bases makes that reaction time line pretty tight.

[JaxRolo]

Wonder of this is because they can not lead off pre pitch? Making them basically anchored to the base.

Makes sense

[VolUmp]

What's softball??