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 ASA game. With a runner on first. BR hits a grounder to the short stop. Going for a double play, she flips the ball to the second basemen who (literally standing on second base) turns to throw to first but seeing that R1 does not slide and afraid to hit her in the face, the ball goes sailing over the first basemens head. The coaches go wild. She has to slide! they say. Does she? Is this easily interference on the runner? Does she have to slide or vere out of the way so the second basemen can have a direct throw to first?
Answer Hi Steve,
R1 does not have to slide but in most cases must allow F4 the opportunity to to throw the ball w/out being hindered or impeded.
Since the runner cannot magically disappear whether this is interference or not would depend on how the play unfolded. A fast 6-4-3 might have a different outcome than a slower play that allows R1 to have a legitimate chance to achieve the base. W/out seeing the play did R1's position impede or hinder the throw of F4? If they were not in the close proximity of 2nd base did R1 have an opportunity or should they have known to alter that position as the play developed? Most times a runner remaining upright in the direct path of the throw would be interference.
