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 With the runners on the correct bases and the outs less then two. A batter hits the ball straight up in the air on the first base line. What constitutes the in field fly. The wording is ordinary effort, is that making an attempt or positioning your body under the ball. We had a situation in church league where I was pitching bases loaded no outs the forth batter popped straight up on the first base side. I as able to position under the pop fly and wait on it to descend to me. The home plate umpire stated no infield fly because the ball was not a routine play being able to be reached with ordinary effort. Even though I was under the ball waiting on it. Is this just a judgement call in this case, both teams thought the ump was incorrect in his call.
Answer Hi Skip,
"The home plate umpire stated no infield fly because the ball was not a routine play being able to be reached with ordinary effort." Based on your facts .....????? why wasn't it an IF, I have no idea
You have it correct, "ordinary effort" I don't have anything else to add other than the def
INFIELD FLY: A fair fly ball, not including a line drive or an attempted bunt which can be caught by an infielder, pitcher or catcher with ordinary effort when first and second.....
