The Ump - Questions Answered



Baserunning
If a batted ball gets stuck on the top of the outfield fence what is the call?
There is NO rule in the USSSA Book that uses the wording: "stuck or lodged". Rule 8, Sec 7. B. uses the words "into" stands, "over", "under" or "through". National UIC interpretation is to use this rule and award two bases from time of pitch
When a base runner is scoring from 3rd and there is a close play at the plate, does the runner have to slide? Can the runner be called out for not sliding?
Runner is not required to slide...HOWEVER, When a defensive player clearly has the ball and is waiting for the runner and the runner deliberately and forcefully runs into the defensive player, the runner is declared out. The offender shall be ejected, the ball is dead and all other runners must return to the last base touched at the time of the collision. Rule 8 Sec 5V EFFECT Sec.5.V
If a player smacks a ball out of a fielders hand preventing him to tag the runner and make what should be a double play throwing the runner out a 2b what should the call be
Baserunners are out when the baserunner interferes with a fielder catching a ball or throwing a ball, or with a thrown ball. If, in the opinion of the umpire, the interference is an obvious attempt to prevent a double play, the immediate succeeding runner shall also be declared out. When a baserunner interferes after he is out or after scoring, the most advanced runner shall be declared out. Rule 8 Sec 5.B EFFECT Sec 5.B
If a player is standing on the base at third, and a batted ball strikes him while he is in contact with the base is he out?
NO..Baserunners are not out, When, while in contact with the base, the base runner is hit with a fair batted ball unless the umpire rules that the ball was intentionally interfered with, or a fielder interfered with, while attempting to field a batted ball. The ball remains live with all runners continuing to be in jeopardy. Rule 8 Sec 12 L. Effect Sec. 12 L-M
Batting
I don't see anything in the USSSA rules that says a ball is dead if it hits the ground before a batter swings at it.....the rules specifically says... " BALL IS CALLED BY THE UMPIRE on each pitch not swung at by batter if: " Wouldn't the key phrase there be pitch NOT swung at by batter?
After receiving inquiries on the wording of the last two questions on the same subject,I have since "deleted" those two questions from the ATU Column I contacted National's Regional UIC for an interpretation, clarification, rule intent, etc etc. Here it is: Technically, ANY pitch, thaat is "not" swung at and is called a ball or strike by the umpire becomes "dead" and Time is out, as soon as it either hits the ground or passes home plate...On the other hand, ANY pitch, be it legal, illegal, fairly delivered or unfairly delivered, rolled or bounced, if the batter swings, whether he/she hits the ball or not, his/hers actions will stand ("missed" will be called a strike and "hit" will remain in play). Two reference Rules regarding this situation are Rule 7.sec 4 A thru G and Effect & Rule 6 sec 9 A thru E and Effect. Hope this clears everthing up.
I have heard rumors of a new rule coming this season that now only allows the batter 1 foul ball after the first strike.....is this true?
YES, The more correct wording would be:The batter is out if: He hits "first" foul after one strike..this is a change from previous years when a batter was out after he hit a "second" foul after one strike. 2014 USSSA Rule book, page 37, rule 7, Sec 2 D Note: 1
Equipment
What can an umpire do about a shaved bat? one that is undoubtably loaded but has no physical evidence that can be seen by naked eye
Umpires look for "physical" evidence that a bat has been tampered with, loose end cap or knob, "spider webbing" in the paint, visible cracks or dents, or something loose and rattling inside The sound of a bat (ie, clank, thump, ping, etc, etc does not determine wether a bat is illegal. Manufacturers use different "composite" materials in making their bats as a marketing device to sell their bats, so they do sound different at times. The only noise that would warrant a bat being taken out of play would be a "rattling" sound in the barrel, which would indicate that there is probably a breakdown of the inner wall. Compression test are usually "inconclusive" but leagues do have the option of obtaining a "testing device" and removing bats from league play based solely on those results. They MAY NOT keep a person's bat. Just because the little guy on the other team or the 300 lb DH, etc etc on the other team hits home runs and the opposition figures it must be a "loaded" bat is not reason for an umpire to remove a bat from play. We look for "physical" evidence as outlined in Rule 2 sec 2, which is rather lengthy..
If a player hits a ball in the gap to the fence and ends up with a double does it matter if they step on the white or orange bag when rounding first?
Either base is acceptable. Rule 2 sec 7 Note, #2
League Rules
In a co-ed game can a team play 5 infielders when a woman bats? Or does the rule say they must have 4 outfielders behind the orange line?
No. The the league rules will be updated to reflect that all teams will field an outfield of four players at all times, the only exception would be when the team has nine players, at that time they must field three outfielders.
Pitching Rule
Can you clarify what is considered a strike. I hear some people say 3 feet from the ground, others 3 feet from release. Also what is the difference between high and deep?
Rule 6 Sec.5.B.& C. The pitched ball must arc at least 3 feet after leaving the pitcher's hand and before it passes any part of home plate. The pitched ball shall not rise higher than 10 feet above the ground. High and Deep ?? There is no such call in the Umpires Mechanics. Umpires are instructed to call "Ball" or "Strike". If the Umpire says "High or Deep" it is just his way of letting you know why the pitch was called a "Ball". High as explained in the "Funk & Wagnall's" is easy to understand, but Deep on the other hand means somewhere underwater, so it really doesn't apply in the game of Softball, but most batters know what it means. Poor choice of words.
If the pitcher pump fakes a pitch and as he is releasing the ball the batter swings.....can the batter swing again as the ball reaches home plate?
You can swing as many times as you like. But does each swing count as a strike. If it was only that easy. (This is National UIC Interpretation) No Rule reference given, maybe he is still looking for a rule to cover the last part...
If the pitcher is in a pitching position (on rubber or behind it) and batter is in the batters box and umpire has called/indicated play, does either player have the option to call time out for any reason?
YES,rule reads" Once the pitcher begins his delivery motion, the umpire shall not give a call or signal time unless something unusual occurs. Rule 6 sec 4E
The Game
If an outfielder leaps and tries to make a great catch but the ball hits off his glove and goes out of the park what is the ruling? Does it count against the home run total?
Over-the-fence home runs are limited in selected USSSA programs. All fair untouched fly balls over-the-fence in excess of the limit will be ruled an out. Any fair fly ball "touched" by a defensive player which then goes over the fence in fair territory will be declared a four base award and is not to be included in the total of over-the-fence home runs. Rule 4, Sec 8A, Effect Sec. 8.A. 2.
The Players and Substitutes
If a teamate offers to play for another team because they were short players...can your coach suspend you from the team for playing for anothet team?
Nothing in Rule Book that says a coach can or cannot suspend a ballplayer. Situation is not in the "purview" of umpires duties...Sounds more like a social or personal issue between mgr and ballplayer. If a coach doesn't want someone to play for him, that is his choice
If a players get ejected from the game for throwing a bat and the team doesn\'t have a player on the bench to replace him is the game considered a forfeit? I thought only in the case of an injury could they finish with less players and that spot in the batting order be an automatic out?
A team may play down as far as 9 players when a player is ejected due to injury or any other reason, whether they started with 12, 11, or 10. At no time can they play with less than 9. It will be ruled an out every time that position comes up in the batting order. This is a "National Umpire in Chief's" interpretation and the "intent" of any rules that may be misunderstood in their wording There is no exact rule reference
Umpires
What is the correct way to ask an umpire if he or she would be willing to ask for help on what might be thought to be a missed call? Also would it be the Coach only who should be adressing the umpires?
First,just the coach would be nice. That is what we tell you at the Home Plate meeting. It stops everyone from yelling for an appeal all at once. Second, if you ask the ump for a "second opinion" just because you didn't agree with the call..you won't get one. You need to know what and when to appeal and one umpires judgement isn't one of them.
The Playing Field
What is the dimensions of the 2 fields???
This is not an umpire question. Stop down the field some day between 7am and 12 noon and see the maintenance person. If the red truck is there, he is there