AboutDr. Mark R. Ambrose Expertise I can answer all questions about book rules and "case book" rules governing the playing of ASA softball. Have a REAL situation that happened and are not sure the proper rule was applied, ask me.
Experience I am a registered ASA umpire, a MASA "At-Large" umpire since 1996 and a retired District Umpire-In-Chief. I have very extensive experience in MASA State Championship and ASA national qualifying tournament play both as an umpire and an Umpire-In-Chief. I completed 3 ASA National Schools including the ASA national advanced umpire school in Ok City("Bernie" for those who know him was the lead clinician, I survived the week and couldn't let my kids watch the game tapes when I got home. No, I love you Bernie). I was one of 4 "Yankee" umpires selected to umpire the Men's D National East Championship in 2002 in Winter Haven FL
Organizations Amateur Softball Association (The authority in softball)
Question During an ASA youth softball game, an illegal pitch was called on a pitcher because the coach gave her the "sign" directly instead of going through the catcher. The runner on 2nd base was awarded 3rd and the batter who had a 2-1 count prior to the illegal pitch was given first base. Is there such a rule and if so, why was the batter awarded first?
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Answer Hi John,
the only requirement is that the pitcher be on the pitcher's plate w/ hands separated and take or "appear" to take the signal. She can take the true signal from her "poppa" in the stands if she wants.
The award for an illegal pitch where "nothing happens" is a ball on the batter and runners advance 1 base. If this was an IP the batter should not have been awarded 1st unless it was ball 4.
