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 QUESTION: Runner on third %26 first, batter hits the third base runner standing on the base, ball lands in fair territory, what's the call?
ANSWER: Hi Tim,
This assumes the ball hit R1 in fair territory, otherwise it's just a foul ball.
In SP the closest defensive player to 3rd is almost always behind the bag toward LF. If F5 is behind the base, the ball is dead, b-r is awarded 1st and any other runner moves only if forced.
If F5 were in front of the base (not common at all in SP), ball is live and we play on.
Mark
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Is F5 the third baseman? It hit the base runner standing on third base!
Answer Hi Tim,
F5 plays 3rd, correct. The ball can hit a runner standing on a base and be a foul ball. If the ball is in foul territory and it hits a body part in foul territory it is just a foul ball.
W/out seeing the play in SP the vast majority of these plays are dead ball b-r awarded 1st.
