Some rules to Ponder.......

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Aug 25, 2019
1,066
113
USSSA RULES:


64. R1 is on third base with one out. F5 is playing in front of R1 looking for the bunt. R1 is hit (unintentionally) by B3's fair batted ball near third base in fair territory. The defense cannot recover the deflected ball in time to play on R1, and R1 scores easily.

Ruling - LIVE BALL and NO VIOLATION. When a runner is hit with a fair batted ball after it is touched or has passed an infielder, except the pitcher, and the umpire judges that another infielder had no opportunity to make a play, the runner is not out and the ball remains live (8.18.N NOTE 2, p 52)

I like this one, more than a few coaches, and probably all parents will think this is interference. I had a call like this last year. The infield was playing up, the runner on first was moving to 2nd and got hit by a ball, no interference since it passed the infielders. The coach came flying out, but I explained the rule to him properly, the parents gave it to me most of the game after that until the info filtered to them.
 
May 29, 2015
3,731
113
I hope someone gets some info from these,, a lot of crazy scenarios.

I appreciate you posting them! Admittedly, my opinion is a bit mixed on using “you make the call” type plays on a basic rules test (even for umpires).

Don’t get me wrong, I love those types of plays and discussing them ... but I don’t see value in grilling a green umpire on a ball bouncing back off the pitcher’s plate. Get the basics down before we start with all the crazy things that can happen (and there are plenty of them!).
 
Aug 25, 2019
1,066
113
I appreciate you posting them! Admittedly, my opinion is a bit mixed on using “you make the call” type plays on a basic rules test (even for umpires).

Don’t get me wrong, I love those types of plays and discussing them ... but I don’t see value in grilling a green umpire on a ball bouncing back off the pitcher’s plate. Get the basics down before we start with all the crazy things that can happen (and there are plenty of them!).
I believe these are refreshers for all umpires, not so much newbies.
 
Aug 25, 2019
1,066
113
USSSA RULES:


66. The batter's bat is discovered to have paint on the bottom end of the barrel. The paint is not on the hitting surface.

Ruling - LEGAL, provided the paint is not on the hitting surface and does not obscure Key Graphic Information or add to the thickness of the barrel (2.10.E1.L.4, p 15)

67. The pitcher stands in a legal pitching position. When delivering the ball, she steps so that the non-pivot ("stride") foot lands a) inside the 24" width of the pitching plate, b) on the imaginary line extending forward from the edge of the pitching plate, or c) completely outside the 24" width of the pitching plate.

Ruling - in a) and b), LEGAL. When the pitcher steps forward, the step with the non-pivot foot must be toward the batter and simultaneous with the delivery. "Toward" the batter means within or partially within the 24" length of the pitcher's plate. In c), DELAYED DEAD BALL is signaled and an ILLEGAL PITCH is called when the pitcher steps entirely outside the 24" width of the pitching plate (6.1.E.2, p 34)

68. B3 incorrectly bats in place of B2, and the infraction is not discovered until a pitch to the next batter.

Ruling - All action stands, and B3's improper at bat is legalized by a pitch to the next batter. APPEALS must be made before the next legal or illegal pitch. The next proper batter is B4, and B2 misses her turn and may legally bat when her turn comes around again (7.1.2, p 38; 9.4.A, p 54; 9.10.B)

69. The batter has a count of one ball and two strikes. She hits a pitched ball in the air to the outfield or above the infield, near the foul line. The defensive player dives for the fly ball and touches it in the air over a) foul territory, or b) fair territory. The fielder then collides with the ground and drops the ball.

Ruling - in a) and b), NO CATCH. In a), DEAD BALL and the ball is FOUL. In b), LIVE BALL and the runner(s) are in jeopardy (3.CATCH, p 19; 3.FAIR BALL.D, p 20; 3.FOUL BALL.A, p 21)

70. R1 is on second base. B2 hits the next pitch for a single. F8's throw to the plate is a few feet up the first baseline. F2, who had picked up the batter's bat, uses the bat to stop the misdirected ball. As a result, R1, who is between third base and home at the time of the catcher's actions, retraces her steps and arrives safely at third. B2 had not reached first base at the time F2 contacted the ball.

Ruling - DEAD BALL when the ball is contacted by the bat held by catcher, and a TWO BASE AWARD to all runners based on their position at the time of the INFRACTION. Runners are awarded two bases if a live thrown ball is touched by detached player equipment which is held by a fielder. R1 is awarded home, and B2 is awarded second base (8.14.C.2, p 47; 8.15.B.1, p 48)

Thanks to many of you who emailed to request clarification on case #70 concerning the catcher picking up the bat and using it to stop a thrown ball. Here is the CORRECT RULING:

70. R1 is on second base. B2 hits the next pitch for a single. F8's throw to the plate is a few feet up the first base line. F2, who had picked up the batter's bat, uses the bat to stop the misdirected ball. As a result, R1, who is between third base and home at the time of the catcher's actions, retraces her steps and arrives safely at third base. R2 had not reached first base at the time F2 contacted the ball.

RULING - This is a BLOCKED BALL and the ball is DEAD at the moment it is contacted by the bat held by the catcher. When a blocked ball is caused by the defense, the Umpire shall impose such penalties and/or make any awards as in the Umpire's judgment will nullify the act.

Placing R1 -- the question is: would R1 have scored had F2 not blocked the ball with the bat? If the judgment is yes, she should be awarded home; if not, she should remain at third base

Placing B2 -- how far would B2 have advanced if the ball had not been blocked? If the umpire's judgment is that she would have attained second base, she should be awarded second; otherwise, she should be placed at first base
 
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Aug 25, 2019
1,066
113
USSSA RULES:

71. Team C (not playing in the current game) is warming up beyond the temporary fence in right field. With R1 on second base, B2 hits a fair ball down the right field line which is picked up by a Team C player (who is walking in live-ball territory) as it is rolling toward the dead ball line.

Ruling - DEAD BALL and SPECTATOR INTERFERENCE. The umpire shall award the runner(s) the base or base(s) they would have reached, in the umpire's judgment, had there been no interference (8.14.F.1, p 48)

72. The umpires notice that the players of Team A are wearing metal cleats in an a) 12U, or b) 14U division game.

Ruling - in a), ILLEGAL. In all divisions 12 and Under and younger, metal cleats are prohibited. In b), LEGAL. (2.4, p 10)

73. A batted ball lands in fair territory between home plate and third base, rolls foul, and then spins back into fair territory in front of third base where it is touched or settles.

Ruling - FAIR BALL. A batted ball which settles or is touched on or over fair territory between home and first base or home and third base is a fair ball (3.FAIR BALL. A, p 20)

74. R1 is on third base and R2 is at second base with two outs. B5 hits a pitched ball for a single. R1 scores and R2 is thrown out at the plate. B5 advances to second base but on an appeal at first base is called out for missing the base.

Ruling - NO RUN SCORES when the third out is a FORCE OUT. A force play is specifically defined as (among other things) a play on the batter-runner at first base (3.FORCE PLAY, p 21; 4.2.C.1, p 26)
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75. The pitcher has started the pitching motion when the catcher requests time. The pitched ball is not swung at and the umpire calls the pitch a strike.

Ruling - Since the request was from the defense (the catcher), the plate umpire should rule "No Pitch" rather than a strike. The batter may have been distracted or confused by the catcher's actions (6.4.E, p 37)
 
Aug 25, 2019
1,066
113
USSSA RULES:

76. The opposing teams get in an argument over which team should be the home team.

Ruling - CHOICE of home or visitor is determined as follows:

POOL PLAY: Coin toss
BRACKET PLAY PRIOR TO CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: higher seed from pool play
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: undefeated "winner's bracket" team
IF NECESSARY GAME: Coin toss

NOTES:

1) In bracket play, if both teams are equally seeded, then a coin toss will be used
2) if a tournament format must be reverted to single elimination so that both teams in the championship are undefeated, choice is awarded to the higher seed from pool play (if one exists); otherwise, a coin flip is used

(Bylaws Article VI, Section 2.B, p 80)

This is the bylaw governing National tournament play, but it should be followed in local play unless the local director has announced another procedure for home/visitor determination

77. B8 hits a fly ball to the outfield or over the infield. The defensive player grasps the ball in her hand or glove, but drops the ball when she a) falls to the ground, b) collides with another defensive player, or c) collides into any fence.

Ruling - NO CATCH in a), b) and c). It is not a catch if, immediately after grasping the ball, the fielder collides with another player, Umpire or fence, or falls to the ground and fails to maintain possession of the ball. In establishing a catch, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove complete control and that the release of the ball is voluntary and intentional (3.CATCH A & 3.CATCH.B.7, p 19)

78. A team manager informs the umpire that a substitute (Lincoln) will hit for the starter (Washington) who is batting third, and then Washington will re-enter the game when the team plays defense.

Ruling - IMPROPER PROCEDURE. The umpire may accept the batting substitution, but Washington's re-entry cannot be reported to the umpire until the moment Lincoln is actually withdrawn from the lineup. Projected substitutions and re-entries are prohibited (5.5, p 32)

79. R1 is on first base, and B2 has a count of two strikes. B2 swings at the next pitch, which touches her. The ball rolls away from F2, and R1 steals second base.

Ruling - DEAD BALL and a STRIKE is charged to the batter. The ball becomes dead when a pitch touches the batter or the batter's clothing, even when the batter strikes at it. The batter is NOT awarded first base on a hit by pitch when she swings at the pitch; a strike is called, and since it is the third strike, the batter is out. The runner must return to her base when any part of the batter's person or clothing is touched by a pitched ball that is swung at (8.4.D EXCEPTION 1 & NOTE 4, p 43; 8.16.D, p 49; 10.1.A, p 56)

NOTE: THE BATTER'S H-A-N-D-S ARE NOT PART OF THE B-A-T (8.4.D NOTE 3, p 43) Know it, believe it, live it!

80. R1 is obstructed by F5 as she rounds third base. R1 continues toward home plate and deliberately crashes into F2 who is waiting with the ball.

Ruling - DELAYED DEAD BALL is signaled and "OBSTRUCTION" is called at the time of the obstruction, followed by DEAD BALL at the time of the collision. R1 is called OUT and EJECTED for malicious contact. The general obstruction rule (a runner may not be put out between the two bases where the obstruction occurs) is superseded when the obstructed runner commits an act of interference or malicious contact (8.13.D.2, p 46; 8.18.D, p 50; 11.2.W, p 59)
 
Nov 9, 2019
56
8
USSSA RULES:

71. Team C (not playing in the current game) is warming up beyond the temporary fence in right field. With R1 on second base, B2 hits a fair ball down the right field line which is picked up by a Team C player (who is walking in live-ball territory) as it is rolling toward the dead ball line.

Ruling - DEAD BALL and SPECTATOR INTERFERENCE. The umpire shall award the runner(s) the base or base(s) they would have reached, in the umpire's judgment, had there been no interference (8.14.F.1, p 48)

72. The umpires notice that the players of Team A are wearing metal cleats in an a) 12U, or b) 14U division game.

Ruling - in a), ILLEGAL. In all divisions 12 and Under and younger, metal cleats are prohibited. In b), LEGAL. (2.4, p 10)

73. A batted ball lands in fair territory between home plate and third base, rolls foul, and then spins back into fair territory in front of third base where it is touched or settles.

Ruling - FAIR BALL. A batted ball which settles or is touched on or over fair territory between home and first base or home and third base is a fair ball (3.FAIR BALL. A, p 20)

74. R1 is on third base and R2 is at second base with two outs. B5 hits a pitched ball for a single. R1 scores and R2 is thrown out at the plate. B5 advances to second base but on an appeal at first base is called out for missing the base.

Ruling - NO RUN SCORES when the third out is a FORCE OUT. A force play is specifically defined as (among other things) a play on the batter-runner at first base (3.FORCE PLAY, p 21; 4.2.C.1, p 26)
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75. The pitcher has started the pitching motion when the catcher requests time. The pitched ball is not swung at and the umpire calls the pitch a strike.

Ruling - Since the request was from the defense (the catcher), the plate umpire should rule "No Pitch" rather than a strike. The batter may have been distracted or confused by the catcher's actions (6.4.E, p 37)
On instance #72 does the 12u team wearing metal cleats have the option to change shoes and if so if not enough players have non-metal what is the ruling?
 
Aug 25, 2019
1,066
113
On instance #72 does the 12u team wearing metal cleats have the option to change shoes and if so if not enough players have non-metal what is the ruling?
I would say the 12u team does have the option to change shoes, and if not enough players have non metal spikes, then the team would have to forfeit.
 

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