Softball/Coach interference?
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Question
The batter swings and misses at strike three. The ball skips into the catcher's glove. Neither the catcher nor the batter realizes the ball wasn't caught. As the batter walks toward the dugout, the first base coach pats the batter on the top of the helmet. Before reaching the dugout the runner is alerted that the ball had not been caught and so the batter immediately runs to first base. The umpire acknowledges that the pitch was not caught but says the batter is out anyway because the coach touched her. Is this the correct ruling? What rule controls this situation? Thanks.
Hi James,
just based on your q I don't have the coach "assisting" the runner, so no I have nothing here.
ASA 8-7-E. When any offensive team member, other than another runner, physically
assists a runner while the ball is live.
EFFECT: The ball is live. The running being assisted is out
Mark
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Answers by Expert:
Dr. 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
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Amateur Softball Association (The authority in softball)
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