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: Sir: In looking the the rules supplement for the asa umpires manual.I came across a strange (to me ruling )
rule 44 pg 130 (runner hit by a fair batted ball)
sTATES WHILE IN CONTACT WITH A BASE A RUNNER WHO IS HIT BY A FAIR BATTED BALL SHOULD NOT BE CALLED OUT unless the act is intentional. nEVER HEARD OF THAT .iF IT PASSES A FIELDER FIRST .
bALL IS LIVE IF IT DOES NOT THEN BATTER SHOULD BE OUT BALL IS DEAD.
THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE .
i'M GRATEFUL IF YOU COULD CLEAR THIS UP.
IT APPEARS IN THE RULES SUPPLEMENT ON PGE 130 RULE 44.
THANKS
bILL lASONDE
ANSWER: Hi Bill,
A runner hit by a fair batted ball while off the base is 1 set of rules.
A runner hit by a fair batted ball while in contact w/ the base is a different set of rules
I don't know what I can clear up as both sets of rules are very clear and specific and apply to different scenarios. Based on your statement you want the rules of hit off base to apply to hit on base and that's just not the case.
Mark
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: hi Mark It was my understanding that a runner on a base is out if hit by a batted ball except for when there is an infeild fly.or the ball passes a fielder first.I do understand that the relative position of the fielder has a bearing as to whether or not he is out.I do not understand this entry in the rulebook asa umpire 2009(rule 44 pg 130 (runner hit by a fair batted ball)
sTATES WHILE IN CONTACT WITH A BASE A RUNNER WHO IS HIT BY A FAIR BATTED BALL SHOULD NOT BE CALLED OUT unless the act is intentional.
IDo not understand what would be considered intentional
Thanks Bill
Answer Hi Bill,
"It was my understanding that a runner on a base is out if hit by a batted ball except for when there is an infeild fly.or the ball passes a fielder first."
Ok let's start here, in ASA play you're understanding of a runner hit by a fair batted ball is incorrect. Forget being hit by an infield fly while on base, we would only have an out on R1 if R1 intentionally interfered w/ the defense trying to catch the ball. Also forget about the rule of a runner being hit off base.
A runner is NEVER out if hit by a batted ball while on base unless they intentionally interfere w/ the ball such a sticking their arm or leg out to intentionally contact the ball. The runner has to make some intentional effort to interfere w/ the batted ball, we seldom see that.
Here's RS 44. that pertains... RUNNER HIT BY A FAIR BATTED BALL.
A. While in Contact With the Base. A runner who is hit by a fair batted
ball while in contact with the base should not be called out unless the
act is intentional. The ball remains live, or becomes immediately dead,
depending on the closest defensive player. When the closest defensive
player is in front of the base that the runner is in contact with, the ball
remains live. However, when the closest defensive player is behind the
base, the ball is dead. Should the ball be ruled dead and the batter
awarded a base hit, only runners forced to advance because the batter
was placed on first base shall advance one base.
Ok.... F5 in this case in front of 3rd...live ball..we play on, no one is out unless a play is made on them.
F5 behind 3rd...dead ball...b-r awarded 1st, runners only advance if forced.
