Transcript Fairfax Adult SoftballUmpire Training ASA RULE 6 – Pitching Regulations ASA RULE 7 – Batting RULE 6 Pitching Regulations Before the Pitch The Pitcher must: Take a.

Fairfax Adult Softball
2010
Umpire Training
ASA RULE 6 – Pitching Regulations
ASA RULE 7 – Batting
RULE 6
Pitching Regulations
Before the Pitch
The Pitcher must:
Take a position with both feet firmly on the
ground,
Have one or both feet in contact with the
pitcher’s plate OR the area defined by the
24” width of and up to 6’ behind the
pitcher’s plate,
Effect: Delayed Dead Ball, Illegal Pitch.
Before the Pitch
The Pitcher must:
 Come to a full and complete stop with the ball in
front of the body (at least one second),
 Face the batter, and
 Not be considered in the pitching position
unless the catcher is in a position to receive the
pitch.
Effect: Delayed Dead Ball, Illegal Pitch.
Starting the Pitch
The pitch starts when the pitcher
makes any motion with the ball
AFTER the required stop.
Prior to the required stop, any motion
may be used.
The Delivery
The Pitcher has 10 seconds to release
the next pitch after receiving the ball or
after the umpire indicates “play ball.”
If the Pitcher holds the ball over 10
seconds, a ball will be called on the
batter. (Use discretion when calling the
ball.)
The Delivery
Ball must be delivered to home plate:
 In a continuous motion, not stop and go, and
 On the first forward swing of the pitching arm
past the hip with an underhand motion.
Palm may be over or under the ball.
Pivot foot must remain in contact with the
pitcher’s plate or the area defined by the
24” width of and up to 6’ behind the
pitcher’s plate.
Effect: Illegal Pitch.
The Delivery
If the pitcher takes a step, it may be
forward, backward, or to the side,
provided:
 The step is simultaneous with the release of
the ball, AND
 Pivot foot remains in contact with the
pitcher’s plate or the area defined by the 24”
width of and up to 6’ behind the pitcher’s
plate.
Effect: Illegal Pitch.
Against the Rules
The Pitcher cannot:

Fake/simulate a legal pitch with one or
both feet in contact with the pitcher’s
plate or the area defined by the 24”
width of and up to 6’ behind the
pitcher’s plate.
Effect: Dead Ball, Illegal Pitch, Warning Issued,
Repeated action results in the removal of
pitcher from pitching position.
Against the Rules
The Pitcher cannot:
 Make any motion to pitch without immediately
delivering the pitch,
 Stop or reverse the pitching motion,
 Deliver a pitch from the glove,
 Pitch the ball behind the back or through the
legs
 Continue any pitching motion after the ball is
released.
Effect: Illegal Pitch signaled verbally and mechanically.
Against the Rules
 Foreign substances are not allowed on the ball, pitching
hand, or fingers at any time (ANY defensive player).
 Illegal pitch on the first offense
 Continued offense will result in an ejection
 Powdered resin is allowed to dry hands
 Pitcher may wear tape on the fingers or a sweatband on
the wrist or forearm of the pitching arm.
 Batting gloves may not be worn on the pitching hand.
Effect: An illegal pitch is called on the first offense. If any
defensive player continues to place a foreign substance
on the ball, the player shall be ejected.
Pitch Speed
 Pitch must be released at a moderate speed (in
the umpire’s judgment).
 If pitch speed is excessive, umpire shall notify
the coach that a warning is being issued.
 If the pitcher pitches another excessive speed
pitch after being warned, remove the pitcher
from the pitcher position for the remainder of the
game.
Effect: Illegal Pitch signaled verbally and
mechanically.
Pitching Arc
The pitch must:
 Be delivered with a perceptible arc,
 Reach a height of at least 6’ from the ground,
and
 Reach a height of at most 12’ from the
ground.
 KEY: Consistency with what you establish as
the heights!
Effect: Illegal Pitch signaled verbally and
mechanically.
Defensive Positioning
All defensive players, except the catcher,
must be positioned in FAIR territory.
Effect: No Pitch
No fielder can deliberately distract the batter
with unsportsmanlike intent.
 One warning or immediate ejection if
warranted.
 A pitch does not have to be released
The Catcher
 FAS does not enforce the lines for a catcher’s
box.
 The catcher shall return the ball directly to the
pitcher after each pitch.
Exception: After a strikeout with bases
empty, the catcher may throw the ball
“around the horn” or not directly back to the
pitcher.
Effect: Illegal pitch; ball called on batter or on
next batter.
Quick Pitches
 The pitcher cannot attempt a “quick return”
of the ball before the batter has taken a
position in the batter’s box or when the
batter is off balance.
 Unless the batter requests and the umpire
allows, time from the umpire, the pitcher
may deliver the pitch when received.
Effect: Illegal Pitch signaled verbally and
mechanically.
Warm-Up Pitches
 At the beginning of each half inning or
when a pitcher relieves another, not more
than one minute may be used to deliver up
to 3 warm-up pitches.
 Excessive warm-up pitches will result in a
ball to the batter for each pitch.
 A pitcher returning to pitch in the same half
inning will not receive any warm-up
pitches.
No Pitch
A no-pitch is declared when:
 Pitcher pitches during the suspension of
play,
 Runner is called out for leaving a base
before the pitched ball reaches home plate,
is batted, or touches the ground before
reaching home plate,
 A pitch is delivered before a runner has REtouched their base after being legitimately
off that base,
 EFFECT: There is no ball or strike awarded on
a no pitch.
No Pitch
A no-pitch is declared when:
 The ball slips from the pitcher’s hand
during the delivery of back swing, or
 A player or coach calls time or
commits any act while the ball is live
for the obvious purpose of trying to
make the pitcher commit an illegal
pitch.
RULE 7
Batting
On-Deck Batter
 Only one on-deck batter at a time.
 Can only have:
 Up to 2 bats,
 Approved Warm-Up Equipment, or
 Combination of the above not to exceed 2.
 Can leave the on-deck area:
 When they become the batter or
 To direct runner(s) from 3rd base to home.
On-Deck Batter
If the on-deck batter interferes with a
defensive player attempting to make a play:
 If it involves a runner, the runner
closest to home at the time of the
interference is out.
 If it is with the defensive fielder fielding
a fly ball, the batter is out.
Batting Order
 When the 3rd out is made BEFORE the batter
completed their at bat, they lead off the next
inning.
 Batting out of order is an APPEAL PLAY that
can only be made by the defensive team
BEFORE:
The next pitch (legal or illegal) to the
following batter
All infielders have clearly left their positions
and fair territory on their way to the dugout
area.
Batting Out of Order
If batting out of order is discovered while the
incorrect batter is at bat:
 The correct batter takes the batter’s position
immediately and assumes the ball-strike
count.
 NO penalty whether discovered by the
offense or defense while the incorrect batter
is at bat.
Batting Out of Order
If batting out of order is discovered
AFTER the incorrect batter completed
their turn at bat and BEFORE the next
pitch (legal or illegal) to the following
batter or all infielders have clearly left
their positions and fair territory on their
way to the dugout area:
Batting Out of Order
The player who should have batted is out
Any runners that advanced or runs scored are
nullified AND all outs made will stand
The next batter is the player after the player
called out for failing to bat
If the incorrect batter is the 3rd out, the next
inning will begin with the player who would
have come to bat if the player was put out by
an ordinary play.
Batting Out of Order
If batting out of order is discovered after the next pitch
to the NEXT batter or after all infielders have clearly
left their positions and fair territory on their way to the
dugout area:
 The turn at bat of the incorrect batter is legal.
 All runs scored, runners advanced, and outs made are
legal.
 Next batter is the one that follows the incorrect batter.
 No out is called for failure to bat.
 Player(s) that did not bat and not called out lose their
turn at bat until reached again in the regular order.
Batting Out of Order
If batting out of order is discovered:
 Runners shall be removed from the base
occupied, except the batter-runner who has
been removed from a base by the umpires
to bat in the proper position.
 The correct batter misses their turn at bat
with no penalty.
 The batter following the correct batter in the
batting order becomes the legal batter.
Coed Batting Order
 Coed batting orders alternate genders.
 In making a substitution to the batting
order, remember this guideline applies: if
the substitution creates a lineup that, in
number and gender, would have been a
legal starting lineup, then the substitution
may be made. A manager may not
change a lineup in such a way as to
create a lineup that would not have been
legal to start the game.
Coed Batting Order
 Males hit 12” softballs.
 Females hit 11” softballs. (Exception: Females
batting in Reston Church hit 12” softballs.)
 If the wrong ball is used, the defensive team (not
offensive as ruled by ASA) has the option of
accepting the result of the play or require the last
batter to bat again with the ball-strike count prior
to the wrong ball being used.
Batting Position
 Batter must have both feet
completely within the lines
of the batter’s box. The batter
may touch the lines, but no
part of the foot may be outside
the lines prior to the pitch.
 Batter has up to 10 seconds to take the position
in the batter’s box.
 If the batter takes longer than 10 seconds,
call a strike (no pitch has to be thrown and
dead ball).
Batting Position
 Batter may not step out of the batter’s box to
stop play unless the umpire grants time.
Play continues
Pitch will be judged a ball or strike, as normal.
 The batter shall not step directly in front of the
catcher to the other batter’s box while the pitcher
is in position to pitch, or anytime thereafter prior
to the release of the pitch.
The ball is dead, the batter is out.
Strikes and Balls
IN SENIORS PLAY
• A strike shall be called for
each legally pitched ball that
lands and touches any
portion of home plate or the
strike zone mat
• A ball shall be called for each
legally pitched ball that lands
and does not touch any
portion of home plate or the
strike zone mat.
Strikes
A strike is called . . .
 Legally pitched ball that passes through the strike
zone before touching the ground and the batter
does not swing.
 Ball can actually hit the batter.
 Batter cannot prevent the ball from entering the strike
zone (other than hitting the ball with a bat).
 Batter swings and misses prior to the ball hitting the
ground.
 Foul tip.
 Foul ball.
 If the batter does not take the batter’s position
within 10 seconds after being directed by the
umpire.
Strikes
Balls
A ball is called . . .
 Legally pitched ball that the batter does not swing
at that:
 Does not pass through the strike zone,
 Touches the ground before reaching home
plate, or
 Touches home plate.
 Illegally pitched ball not swung at.
 Catcher fails to return the ball directly to the pitcher.
 For each excessive warm-up pitch.
FAS 1-1 Rule
The batter begins each turn at bat with
a count of 1 ball and 1 strike. The
batter walks on four balls and is
considered out on the third strike,
unless the third strikes is fouled off, in
which case the batter gets one more
strike (Courtesy Foul). If the next
pitch is a strike or fouled off, the
batter is out.
FAS Master’s Five-Run Rule
For each inter-division game:
• the team from the higher division will
always be the home team and bat last.
• For each half inning, a team may bat until
they score 5 runs.
• Should a team be behind at the start of
their turn at bat, they may score more then
5 runs but NO more then 5 runs ahead…
Continued
FAS Master’s Five-Run Rule
• The half inning is over once a team scores their
5 runs, or goes 5 runs ahead when losing at the
beginning of their turn at bat, or has 3 outs.
• With 15 minutes of play left in game time, the
umpire will announce that the inning in progress
is the last 5-run inning. One more inning will be
played and either team may score unlimited
runs.
• (The FAS slaughter and Five-Limit Home Run
Rule will NOT be enforced during these games.)
The Batter is Out
 The batter is called out . . .
 After the 3rd strike (including a foul ball
that is hit after 2 strikes).
 Batter enters the batter’s box with or is
discovered using an altered, nonapproved or illegal bat.
This also results in an ejection and
that spot in the batting order can
never be substituted for.
The Batter is Out
 The batter is called out. . .
 Batter’s ENTIRE foot is touching
the ground COMPLETELY outside
the batter’s box when the batter
hits the ball (fair or foul).
 Batter’s foot (any part) touches home plate when the
batter hits the ball (fair or foul).
 Batter bunts or chops at the ball.
 Batter hits a fair ball with the bat a 2nd time in fair
territory.
The Batter is Out
 The batter is called out . . .
 Batter leaves the batter’s box and returns to
the box and makes contact with the ball.
 If the batter due up left the game under the
Short-handed Rule.
 Batter intentionally interferes with a thrown
ball (in or out of the batter’s box).
 When members of the team at bat, interfere
with a player attempting to field a fair or foul
fly ball.
Case Book
• Play: After one
warning, F1 again
delivers a pitch with
excessive speed. The
umpire ejects F1 from
the game
• Play: B1 reaches out
and catches an inside
pitch while standing in
the batter’s box.
Case Book
• Play: After one warning,
F1 again delivers a pitch
with excessive speed.
The umpire ejects F1
from the game
• Ruling: Incorrect. F1
should be removed from
the pitchers position for
the remainder of the
game but may participate
in the game in any other
position
• Play: B1 reaches out and
catches an inside pitch
while standing in the
batter’s box.
• Ruling: The ball is dead
when touched by B1. The
umpire should call the
pitch a ball or a strike.
Case Book
• Play: During the three
warm-up pitches, F1
• (a) throws two pitches
with an arc and one
pitch overhand
• (b) throws two pitches
windmills style and a
third with an arc
• (c) throws all three
pitches with an arc.
Case Book
• Play: During the three
warm-up pitches, F1
• (a) throws two pitches
with an arc and one
pitch overhand
• (b) throws two pitches
windmills style and a
third with an arc
• (c) throws all three
pitches with an arc.
• Ruling: There is no
violation for throwing
overhand or windmill
style. F1 can throw the
three pitches in any
manner F1 chooses.
Should F1 throw to an
infielder, this would
count toward the three
allowed warm-up
pitches
Case Book
• Play: F1 comes to a
one-second stop,
than takes the ball in
the pitching hand over
the top of their heads,
down and around in a
windmill type action,
and releases the ball
the first time past the
hip.
Case Book
• Play: F1 comes to a
• Ruling: Legal. A
one-second stop,
windmill delivery is
than takes the ball in
legal if the ball is
the pitching hand over
releases the first time
the top of their heads,
over the hip and all
down and around in a
other aspects of the
windmill type action,
pitching rule is
and releases the ball
followed.
the first time past the
hip.
Case Book
• Play: F1 has both
feet on the pitcher’s
plate and removes
one foot by stepping
backward while
pitching the ball. B1
does not swing at the
pitch.
Case Book
• Play: F1 has both
feet on the pitcher’s
plate and removes
one foot by stepping
backward while
pitching the ball. B1
does not swing at the
pitch.
• Ruling: Legal pitch. A
step with the free foot is
not required in slow pitch,
but if one is taken, it must
be made simultaneous
with the release of the
ball. It can be forward,
backward, or to the side.
The pivot foot must
remain in contact with the
pitcher’s plate or the area
defined by the 24”width of
and up to 6’ behind the
pitcher’s plate until the
ball is released.
Case Book
• Play: With two outs
and the bases full, it
is B6’s turn to bat, but
B7 erroneously bats
and hits a triple
clearing the bases.
B7 is out trying to
score on the hit. All
defensive players
have clearly left fair
territory.
Case Book
• Play: With two outs
and the bases full, it
is B6’s turn to bat, but
B7 erroneously bats
and hits a triple
clearing the bases.
B7 is out trying to
score on the hit. All
defensive players
have clearly left fair
territory.
• Ruling: The defensive
team forfeits its right to
appeal batting out of
order when all infielders
(including the pitcher)
have left their normal
positions (crossing the
foul lines). The batter who
follows B7 in the order
will lead off the next
inning
Case Book
• Play: Coed: R1 , a male, is on
1B with a single and the
following batter, B2, a female,
is thrown three pitches with a
12-inch ball. B2, a female,
gets a hit and reaches 1B
safely. B3, a male, steps in to
bat and a pitch is thrown to B3
with the 12-inch ball and then
either the offense or defense
complains about the wrong
ball being pitched to B2.
Case Book
• Play: Coed: R1 , a male,
is on 1B with a single and
the following batter, B2, a
female, is thrown three
pitches with a 12-inch
ball. B2, a female, gets a
hit and reaches 1B safely.
B3, a male, steps in to
bat and a pitch is thrown
to B3 with the 12-inch ball
and then either the
offense or defense
complains about the
wrong ball being pitched
to B2.
• Ruling: After one
pitch has been
thrown to B3, all
previous action is
considered legal
on B2. Continue
pitching to B3.
Case Book
• Play: R1 is on 3B, R2
on 2B, R3 on 1B and
B4 is scheduled to bat
but B5 comes to bat
instead and grounds
into a double play,
resulting in R3 being
forced at 2B and B5
out at B1. The
defense appeals B5
batting out of order.
Case Book
• Play: R1 is on 3B, R2 on
2B, R3 on 1B and B4 is
scheduled to bat but B5
comes to bat instead and
grounds into a double
play, resulting in R3 being
forced at 2B and B5 out
at B1. The defense
appeals B5 batting out of
order
• Ruling: All outs that
occurred before the
appeal stand. Any
runners that advanced
are returned to their
original base. Because of
the appeal, B4 is
declared out for missing
their turn at bat for the
third out of the inning. B6
leads off the next inning.