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 Hello,
I have a question regarding the batter interference rule for 11 year old girls fastpitch governed by ASA rules.
Here is the situation.
No outs with the bases loaded. The pitcher throws a pitch in the dirt that gets pas the catcher and rolls to the back stop slightly up the 3rd base line. The batter backs out of the batters box as the runners advance. The catcher gathers the ball and attempts to throw to the pitcher covering home base. The batter has her back to the catcher watching the runner advance and the catchers throw hits the batter in the batters helmet and the runners all advance one base. The umpire calls interference on the Batter. Was the batter interfering in the play or by backing out of the batters box and being inadvertantly hit in the helmet was interference the wrong call and the run should have scored?
Thank you for answering.
Answer Hi Carl,
Yes she was interfering, it need not be intentional in this case. She needs to watch where the ball is and get way out of the way.
ASA 7-6-p the batter is out.... When hindering the catcher from catching or throwing the ball by stepping out of the batter’s box.
or 7-6-S. When interfering with a play at home plate.
