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 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.
