USSSA Rules:
346. A runner a) deliberately removes her helmet, or b) loses her helmet accidentally while running the bases during a live ball.
Ruling - in a), DELAYED DEAD BALL and, for a first offense, a TEAM WARNING is issued. For a subsequent offense by any team member, the offender is restricted and the head coach is EJECTED. Ball status is delayed dead whenever anyone who is required to wear a helmet deliberately removes the helmet WHILE THE BALL IS LIVE. In b), LIVE BALL and NO VIOLATION (10.2.F, p 58; 11.2 PENALTY A-K, p 59)
Note: this is a rules difference between NFHS/USSSA and USA SB/NCAA. In NFHS/USSSA, there is no out charged for deliberate helmet removal
347. There is a runner on first base when the batter hits a pitched ball to right field. R1 is obstructed as she is advancing toward second base; as she continues and slides into third base, the ball is dislodged from F5's glove and goes out of play. When the ball goes into dead ball territory, B2 is between first and second bases.
Ruling - DELAYED DEAD BALL is signaled and OBSTRUCTION is called at the time of the violation, followed by a DEAD BALL and a ONE BASE AWARD to all runners when the ball enters dead ball territory. Runners are awarded one base (from their position at the time the ball becomes dead) when a fielder loses possession of the ball on a tag play and the ball enters dead ball area. In this situation, R1 is awarded home, and B2 is awarded second base (8.14.D.2, p 48; 8.15.B.2, p 49)
348. The bases are loaded with one out. B5 hits a pitched ball for a double. R3 and R2 both advance to home plate; however, R2 misses home. R3 notices R2's mistake and shoves her back towards home plate.
Ruling - DELAYED DEAD BALL, but R2 is immediately OUT for being physically assisted by someone other than another runner. Although R3 was a runner before the batted ball, she is now a RETIRED RUNNER. Physical assistance by retired runners, the on-deck batter or players from the bench/dugout are akin to assistance by base coaches, and governed accordingly (8.18.Y, p 53)
Comment: a question that is often asked -- "this is a runner who has apparently scored; doesn't the defense have to appeal that missed the plate to 'reactivate' her live runner status?"
The answer would be -- IT DEPENDS -- on what rule the runner violates. A runner who is in "appealable" status is not allowed to commit, or benefit from, illegal acts which facilitate her curing her mistake (i.e. - physical assistance, leaping a fielder who is not on the ground, interference, etc) and those violations should be called without waiting for a proper appeal
On the other hand, if the runner goes into the dugout without curing her violation; she should not be called out until the violation is properly appealed
349. There are runners on first and third bases. On the next pitched ball, B3 interferes with the catcher's ability to throw out R1, who is stealing. The play is not completed at second base because F6 cuts off F2's thrown ball. F6 then throws home in an effort to retire R3, who is advancing on a delayed steal. B3 doesn't interfere with the play at home, and R3 is a) safe at home, or b) put out at home.
Ruling - in a) and b), DEAD BALL at the TIME OF THE INTERFERENCE, B3 is declared OUT, and the runners must return to the bases occupied at the time of the interference. The ball is dead and batter is declared out when she hinders the catcher's attempt to play on a runner. The subsequent action is a moot point (8.12, p 40; 8.16.C, p 49)
350. With no outs and no runners on base, B1's third strike is missed by F2 and the ball, still in flight, lodges a) between F2's body and chest protector, or b) in the umpire's ball bag. B1 continues to second base.
Ruling - In a) and b), DEAD BALL and a ONE BASE AWARD (first base) to the batter-runner. B1 becomes a batter-runner when she incurs the third strike; however, the ball becomes DEAD when a pitch lodges in an Umpire's or catcher's equipment. Each runner (including the batter-runner) is awarded one base if a pitch by the pitcher becomes lodged in equipment (8.14.D.1, p 48; 10.1.G.5, p 57)
QUICKIE QUIZ:
What happens if the pitcher does not PRESENT the ball?
Nothing, provided the pitcher complies with the pitching rule. The pitcher is NOT REQUIRED TO PRESENT THE BALL in fastpitch softball.
The pitcher is required to take the pitching position:
1) with the hands separated,
2) with the ball in either the hand or glove, and
3) while in this position, take or simulate taking a signal
The takeaway here is the ball DOES NOT HAVE TO BE VISIBLE. The ball may be completely hidden in the glove, or it may be behind the pitcher's body in either the bare hand or the glove, but it does not have to be physically visible to the batter, the umpire, or the fans behind the backstop.
As long as other requirements of the pitching rule are met, the pitcher is legal is they perform the "separated pause" described above
PRESENTATION of the ball is a SLOW PITCH concept, but it is NOT PART OF THE FASTPITCH GAME!
346. A runner a) deliberately removes her helmet, or b) loses her helmet accidentally while running the bases during a live ball.
Ruling - in a), DELAYED DEAD BALL and, for a first offense, a TEAM WARNING is issued. For a subsequent offense by any team member, the offender is restricted and the head coach is EJECTED. Ball status is delayed dead whenever anyone who is required to wear a helmet deliberately removes the helmet WHILE THE BALL IS LIVE. In b), LIVE BALL and NO VIOLATION (10.2.F, p 58; 11.2 PENALTY A-K, p 59)
Note: this is a rules difference between NFHS/USSSA and USA SB/NCAA. In NFHS/USSSA, there is no out charged for deliberate helmet removal
347. There is a runner on first base when the batter hits a pitched ball to right field. R1 is obstructed as she is advancing toward second base; as she continues and slides into third base, the ball is dislodged from F5's glove and goes out of play. When the ball goes into dead ball territory, B2 is between first and second bases.
Ruling - DELAYED DEAD BALL is signaled and OBSTRUCTION is called at the time of the violation, followed by a DEAD BALL and a ONE BASE AWARD to all runners when the ball enters dead ball territory. Runners are awarded one base (from their position at the time the ball becomes dead) when a fielder loses possession of the ball on a tag play and the ball enters dead ball area. In this situation, R1 is awarded home, and B2 is awarded second base (8.14.D.2, p 48; 8.15.B.2, p 49)
348. The bases are loaded with one out. B5 hits a pitched ball for a double. R3 and R2 both advance to home plate; however, R2 misses home. R3 notices R2's mistake and shoves her back towards home plate.
Ruling - DELAYED DEAD BALL, but R2 is immediately OUT for being physically assisted by someone other than another runner. Although R3 was a runner before the batted ball, she is now a RETIRED RUNNER. Physical assistance by retired runners, the on-deck batter or players from the bench/dugout are akin to assistance by base coaches, and governed accordingly (8.18.Y, p 53)
Comment: a question that is often asked -- "this is a runner who has apparently scored; doesn't the defense have to appeal that missed the plate to 'reactivate' her live runner status?"
The answer would be -- IT DEPENDS -- on what rule the runner violates. A runner who is in "appealable" status is not allowed to commit, or benefit from, illegal acts which facilitate her curing her mistake (i.e. - physical assistance, leaping a fielder who is not on the ground, interference, etc) and those violations should be called without waiting for a proper appeal
On the other hand, if the runner goes into the dugout without curing her violation; she should not be called out until the violation is properly appealed
349. There are runners on first and third bases. On the next pitched ball, B3 interferes with the catcher's ability to throw out R1, who is stealing. The play is not completed at second base because F6 cuts off F2's thrown ball. F6 then throws home in an effort to retire R3, who is advancing on a delayed steal. B3 doesn't interfere with the play at home, and R3 is a) safe at home, or b) put out at home.
Ruling - in a) and b), DEAD BALL at the TIME OF THE INTERFERENCE, B3 is declared OUT, and the runners must return to the bases occupied at the time of the interference. The ball is dead and batter is declared out when she hinders the catcher's attempt to play on a runner. The subsequent action is a moot point (8.12, p 40; 8.16.C, p 49)
350. With no outs and no runners on base, B1's third strike is missed by F2 and the ball, still in flight, lodges a) between F2's body and chest protector, or b) in the umpire's ball bag. B1 continues to second base.
Ruling - In a) and b), DEAD BALL and a ONE BASE AWARD (first base) to the batter-runner. B1 becomes a batter-runner when she incurs the third strike; however, the ball becomes DEAD when a pitch lodges in an Umpire's or catcher's equipment. Each runner (including the batter-runner) is awarded one base if a pitch by the pitcher becomes lodged in equipment (8.14.D.1, p 48; 10.1.G.5, p 57)
QUICKIE QUIZ:
What happens if the pitcher does not PRESENT the ball?
Nothing, provided the pitcher complies with the pitching rule. The pitcher is NOT REQUIRED TO PRESENT THE BALL in fastpitch softball.
The pitcher is required to take the pitching position:
1) with the hands separated,
2) with the ball in either the hand or glove, and
3) while in this position, take or simulate taking a signal
The takeaway here is the ball DOES NOT HAVE TO BE VISIBLE. The ball may be completely hidden in the glove, or it may be behind the pitcher's body in either the bare hand or the glove, but it does not have to be physically visible to the batter, the umpire, or the fans behind the backstop.
As long as other requirements of the pitching rule are met, the pitcher is legal is they perform the "separated pause" described above
PRESENTATION of the ball is a SLOW PITCH concept, but it is NOT PART OF THE FASTPITCH GAME!