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 I had a guy tell me last night he thought about intentionally dropping a line drive in order to turn a double play. Is this legal or not? I would like the rule # pertinent to this play. Thanks
Jim
Answer Hi Jim,
no it is not legal any time you have a potential force play, an IDB is a dead ball, batter out, runners return.
However to have an IDB the ball must actually be caught and then dropped, merely guiding the ball to the ground is not an IDB.
