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 Dr. Mark,
A real situation call at the Fast Pitch Girls Eastern Nationals U18 in York, PA 2007.
Batter had 2 strikes. The next pitch was a foul tip that was not above the batter's head. The ball hit the catcher's glove and then her chest protector and she held on to the ball (i.e. it did not hit the ground) The call was that it had to be a "Clean Catch, no bobble" in order for the batter to be called out.
I have never heard that ruling, can you tell me if this was correct?
After reading the ASA Rule book, I still question the ruling - would you please comment on whether you believe the call was right?
Thanks, Tara
Answer Hi Tara.
A foul "tip" or foul "ball" is no longer is dependant on the "above the batter's head" requirement, a foul tip is ball that goes sharply and directly to the catcher's hand or glove and is legally caught by the catcher.
You can now have a foul ball that does not go over a batter's head for an out if caught.
In this case it doesn't matter what it was because there are 2 strikes. As long as the ball did not touch the ground and the catcher had control of the ball in her hand or glove we have an out.
