In 2020, we asked EMASS umpires and players to submit interesting play calls or questions on EMASS rules.

Norm Shacat, the EMASS Rules Coordinator, will comment on these calls or answer the questions in this forum. If you want to submit a question or an interesting call, send them to Phil Edelen (pedelen@mail.com) and/or Walker Royce (walker.royce@gmail.com).

What is a catch?

Several queries came to me from managers, players, and umpires right after something unusual happened during a game last summer.  I didn’t think it was worthy of being part of the Rules Forum until it happened again not long after.  Again, I was bombarded with questions when I bumped into players at the field and in my email inbox.

In both instances, I was told that line drives were hit right up the middle and the force of the batted ball ripped the fielding glove right off the pitchers’ hands, but the balls remained lodged in the webbing of the gloves, face up.  I was asked if the batter should be ruled out.

My answer, no catch.  Live ball.

This is a judgment call.  But based on the way both these occurrences were described, the fielding gloves were dislodged instantaneously.  Therefore, it’s unlikely that either pitcher established that he was in possession of the ball in his glove.  USA Softball defines a catch as follows:

• A catch is a legally caught ball, which occurs when a fielder catches a batted or thrown ball with the hand(s) or glove/mitt.
• To establish a valid catch, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove control of it and/or that the release of the ball is voluntary.
• …the catch is not completed until the ball is in the grasp of the fielder’s hand(s) or glove/mitt.

Since this question raised so many questions, we should make sure our EMASS umpires would make the right call if this were to happen again.  As you may know, the Board has invested in improving the skills of our umpires.  The past two years, this included having them participate in a test that encouraged them to scour the rule book for answers and refresh their knowledge along the way about many situations they may be confronted with while officiating.  The umpires also have participated in an on-field clinic covering mechanics, positioning, and difficult calls. 

The situation described in this Rules Forum was one of the 40+ questions the umpires were asked to answer.  I’m happy to report that every one of our umpires answered this question correctly.

Avoiding Collisions. Both fielders and base runners have a right to bases.  It's impossible to fully eliminate some level of contact between a base runner and an infielder on close plays, particularly force plays at second base and occasionally even at third base.  If a base runner slides into, not through, the bag to prevent a collision with an infielder, he has acted responsibly and has made the necessary effort to avoid a collision.  Still, sometimes the runner who is sliding won’t know the infielder’s point of contact with the base, and that point of contact could result in some contact between the two.  In addition, some contact between the two opposing players is inevitable on any tag play when the tag is applied.

Nobody wants to get hurt playing the sport we love, nor does any senior softball player want to be responsible for injuring anyone else.  While both fielder and runner can take actions to avoid a collision on the bases, the onus to do so falls more on the runner than the fielder.  Therefore, base runners must make every effort to avoid this from happening.  As already mentioned, a base runner sliding into a base has made a reasonable effort to beat the throw and avoid a collision.  But not everyone feels comfortable sliding.  For those who don’t, the runner will not be called out on a force play if the umpire believes the runner beat the throw to the bag but failed to touch the bag, provided the umpire believed his failure to do so was to avoid a collision.  This judgment call cannot be protested or appealed.  The runner is not required to run away from the base or veer practically into the outfield, nor is this permission to over-run the base.  Instead, run to the base and if you need to make a late adjustment to your path to avoid a collision, don’t be concerned if your adjusted path results in missing the base. 

Human nature being what it is, a runner who attempts to reach a base standing up but slightly misses the base to avoid a collision will likely attempt to step on the base if the infielder in possession of the ball attempts to tag him.  The umpire, provided he judged that the base was missed only to avoid a collision, shall call the runner safe.  You don’t have to worry about tagging the missed base.

Remember, if the defensive player has the ball and the runner remains upright and crashes into a defensive player, not only is the runner ruled out for interference, if ruled flagrant, he shall be ejected. Also, if it possibly negated a potential double play, the umpire may award a second out at the appropriate base.

Now let’s look at what happens when a batter gets a hit and tries to stretch it into a double (or triple). Here an out can only be recorded by the fielder tagging the runner.  The runner must be able to make contact with the base without being tagged out first.  If you plan on running to the base standing up and make a late adjustment to your path to avoid a collision, you will need to remain close enough to be able to reach the base with your hand or foot; otherwise, you will likely be ruled out for avoiding the tag by being out of the base path.  In this case, if you haven’t been ruled out of the base path, unlike a potential force out, you still need to actually touch the base safely before being tagged.

So what is a collision as opposed to contact?  Collisions are acts that can’t be allowed if we are to minimize risk of injuries.  If judged flagrant by the umpire, the umpire shall eject the player without warning.  The USA Softball rule book does not define a collision, so we need to go to the dictionary.  There you’ll see collision described as “an instance of an object or person striking violently against another,” while contact is “the state or condition of touching.”  The umpire is the individual charged with determining when a collision has occurred on the bases.

Everyone has a role in promoting safety. 

• Infielders should not hog the base and should give the runner as much room as possible by making most plays on the margins of the bag.Unless in the act of fielding a batted ball, infielders not in possession of the ball must provide base runners with a clear path to the base.Failure to do so shall result in obstruction if you have impeded the progress of the runner.So don’t have your foot in the middle of the bag while you await a throw.
• Runners should be alert to the path a fielder is taking to the bag and adjust their path accordingly to avoid collisions.A runner who sees he’s going to be out should use common sense and is encouraged to veer away as far as possible so a potential throw to first base won’t hit him between the eyes.
• Umpires must know the obstruction and interference rules, be in a good position to observe the play, and use good judgment.It is their judgment that determines if contact between base runner and fielder exceeded incidental contact and should be categorized as a collision, and will enforce the rule accordingly.

Batting Position - Batter's Box Mats. The mats used in EMASS match the official dimensions of the batter's boxes for slow pitch softball.  The dimensions of the mats include the lines that would appear as part of the official batter's boxes.  Sometimes batter's partially get onto the mat (into the batter's box) but the umpire instructs them to get their foot totally on the mat.  And the batters often ask why this is necessary since EMASS does not consider a batter out for being out of the batter's box when they hit a pitch while their foot is totally off to the side of the mat.

The very first rule in USA Softball associated with the batting position, Rule 7-Section 3-A. stipulates the following:  Prior to the pitch, the batter must have both feet completely within the lines of the batter's box.  The batter may touch the lines, but no part of the foot may be outside the lines prior to the pitch.

Why is this?  I could list several valid reasons but probably the most important is that the umpire should be protecting the batter from being quick-pitched by not allowing the pitcher to begin his pitching motion until the umpire is satisfied that the batter is ready to receive a pitch.  The umpire will not consider a batter ready to hit until the batter is fully in a legal position to bat.  If we study rule 6-Section 7 in the rules of Slow Pitch Pitching regulations, it reads as follows:  The pitcher shall not attempt a quick return of the ball before the batter has taken a position in the batter's box or when the batter is off balance.  By doing so, the pitcher has delivered an illegal pitch.

Many would argue that umpires need to always be consistent in how they enforce rules.  For the most part, I agree, but I and others try to show a little flexibility regarding ensuring the batter's feet are fully on the mat.  I umpire to enhance the game and your enjoyment of it, not to nit-pick.  We are a recreational league and if I see an inch or two of someone's heel touching the ground just off the mat, I'm likely to ignore it provided he's not still "dancing around, moving his foot" which would indicate to me that he's still not 100 percent ready to receive a pitch.  But if the catcher brings it to my attention or I believe the batter is off the mat enough to use it to his advantage hitting, I'll certainly instruct him to get fully onto the mat.

Bottom line, if an umpire calls this to your attention while batting, don't question it or argue.  He's fully within his right to insist that you comply with the rule.  All your challenge is doing is slowing up the game.

And a side note to umpires, don't be calling, "Play" the second a batter steps into the box.   Let the batter get both feet set and look up towards the pitcher before calling, "Play."  The act of stepping into the box in no way indicates a batter that is ready to receive a pitch. 

Pre-Game Conference. The USA Softball Umpire Manual provides a good outline of the pre-game activities of umpires, including an outline for the pre-game coaches' conference.  The Umpire Coordinator and I have modified these slightly to reflect the uniqueness of our league.  While our weekday umpires are the  primary target of this entry in Rules Forum, EMASS coaches should be aware of all the elements of a good pre-game conference and are encouraged to raise any of the topics not covered by their umpire when meeting with them.

At 15+ minutes before the scheduled start time, be on the field ready to umpire.  Have scorecards in your possession & begin to randomly inspect bats.

At 10 minutes before game time, remind players they only have 5 minutes to complete batting practice.  Call the managers in for a pre-game conference.  Find a safe place to meet while batting practice continues.  Continue to randomly inspect bats.

At 5 minutes before the scheduled start, clear the field with authority.  The last 5 minutes are for the managers to meet with their teams for any last minute instructions.  At the same time, this is your final opportunity to ensures bases, batter's boxes, strike mat, safety home plate, and the  commitment line are properly positioned.  

Start the game on time.

The Pre-game Conference (Keep it short but informative.  This isn't a rules clinic.   Feel free to have a cheat sheet):

• Introduce yourself if the managers don't already know you.
  
• In divisions in which the batting screen is optional (Atlantic & National), ask the managers if their pitchers want it to be used in game 1.  Ask about the pitchers' preferences in game 2.  If neither wants it in the first game, instruct the home team manager to have members of their team carry the screen off the field.
  
• Confirm whether you are speaking to the person representing their team or whether they are designating someone else for that duty.  Reiterate that if their players attempt to usurp that role questioning calls, they or their representative MUST take control of the situation.
  
• Ask who will be making substitutions of courtesy runners.
  
• Review special rules, if any (such as time limits).
  
• Remind both teams that it's their responsibility to ensure that the person managing their scorebook confirm and communicate to the umpire whenever the potential 5th run in innings 1-6 is on base.
  

How EMASS Rules are Changed.

I recently convened the Rules Committee.  One of the areas we discussed was whether to change our rules associated with “veering off” to avoid colliding with a fielder around the bases.  More on that later. 

One of the men that attended the meeting sent me an email after the meeting about veering off.  I was pretty sure I had written a long explanation of the rule and responsibilities of the base runner, the fielder, and the umpire associated with the league’s policy and rules associated with this, and included this in the Rules Forum.  When I re-read it last night, I was reminded that I committed to explaining how the process followed by EMASS in creating and modifying EMASS rules, and that I would do so in an upcoming Rules Forum.  Since I never got around to doing so, it seems like this is an appropriate time of the year to do so.

I joined EMASS in 2010.  At that time EMASS already had a list of robust, comprehensive rules.  Most of those rules live on today, some have evolved, and a few were retired or replaced.  Those rules and the men who developed them more than a decade ago did an excellent job.  Those rules foster a good mix of competition and safety.  Kudos to those that had a part in creating a solid base for our playing rules.

I don’t know the process followed by my predecessors, nor do I know how my successor as Rules Coordinator will handle his/her method of updating EMASS playing rules.  I will share with you how I have been handling this responsibility since being appointed Rules Coordinator.

Throughout the season, I listen to our members and I observe games in all divisions, sometimes as a player, sometimes as an umpire, and sometimes simply as a spectator.  I solicit opinions and input from EMASS players, managers, division coordinators, and umpires.  And I record them in a file. Year after year, most of the areas that people focus on are the same, and every year when I convene the Rules Committee, we robustly discuss those topics. 

Who is on the Rules Committee?  I limit the Committee to the Division Coordinators.  This ensures a complete cross-section of EMASS and these individuals have the best understanding of the wide range of skills of the players comprising their division.  This makes a lot more sense to me than limiting my choices to my cronies.  Several of our umpires would like to be part of the Committee since they have a vested interest in the league’s rules, but I believe umpires shouldn’t make the rules.  They’re charged with enforcing rules created by others. 

Our Coordinators know what works best for their individual divisions and I’m hopeful are tuned in to input from their managers and players.  I believe the Coordinators take their roles in the Rules Committee seriously and their thoughts represent a deliberative process.  As Rules Coordinator, I chair the meeting and introduce the topics we will discuss, and our league’s Commissioner serves in an ex officio capacity.  Neither of the Commission nor I vote, but we certainly express our opinions. 

I believe our members appreciate the stability of our rules, the fact that there are few changes year to year.  To maintain that stability, we don’t change rules unless there is a strong consensus from the Committee to change, add, or delete any.  Today, with six divisions, that means at least five divisional coordinators have to support a change.  What happens when/if one person dissents?  Most of the time, we support that division being exempted from a rule or having a separate rule that best matches the skillset of that division’s players. 

Even when the Rules Committee strongly recommends making a change to (a) rule(s), that recommendation still must be presented by the Rules Coordinator and be approved by the Board of Directors.  There have been several instances in which the Committee’s recommendation wasn’t compelling enough to convince the Board and the rule change was rejected.

This brings me back to my commitment last year that when the Rules Committee would convene this Spring, regulations governing base running and veering off would be discussed.  They were and the Committee recommended we keep those rules as is.

8-3.C.  A runner who has veered off but, in the opinion of the umpire, would have been safe had he/she continued to run directly to the base shall be ruled safe. 

It all started with a ferocious swing that led to a tiny pop up in front of home plate. The batted ball was destined to land less than 5 feet from the batter, and I'm not even sure the batted ball even reached the height of the pitch that preceded it.

Two weeks in a row, I played in games in which batted balls deflected off defensive players and ended up leaving the field of play after rolling into dead ball areas.  In both instances, not only did the umpire rule incorrectly, I heard several players from both teams offering numerous differing rule interpretations.  The only thing in common about the players' interpretations were that most of them got it wrong.  I can almost guarantee the EMASS umpires reading this won't get this wrong in the future, but can't guarantee every USA Softball umpire won't screw up.

Avoiding Contact When Aggressively Approaching a Base.

Seldom has a single play caused such a ruckus.  I received several comments and questions about it.  

I've had an opportunity to speak to and/or communicate with all the major principals in the play, the umpire, the base runner, the third baseman, and even some who witnessed the play.  Fortunately, they all identically described what happened.   Believe me.  That's rare.  Usually you ask four people, you get four versions...

There was a runner on first base when the batter stroked a base hit into right center field.  The runner on first rounded second and headed for third base.  The third baseman was described as "straddling the bag" awaiting the throw from the outfield.  The runner crashed into the third baseman and the umpire ruled him out even though he beat the throw.  The runner wrote and asked what he should have done to avoid the crash (and being called out).  He knew he could have slid but he's over 70 and gave up sliding a few years ago.  In his question he mentioned that by not sliding "he had no path to the base."

Here are our rules that govern the play in question:

8-3.  If a fielder not in possession of the ball impedes the runner and blocks access to a base, that is illegal (obstruction).  Provided the fielder has not obstructed the base runner, the base runner is in the best position to avoid collisions with defensive players while running the bases.  When running to second or third base or returning to any base, if the umpire judged the runner failed to veer off or slide to avoid a collision with a defensive player involved in the play, the runner is guilty of interference.  

8-3.C.  A runner who has veered off but, in the opinion of the umpire, would have been safe had he/she continued to run directly to the base shall be ruled safe. 

Because the runner mentioned not having a path to the base after earlier telling me the third baseman straddled third base, the first thing I did was check the definition of straddle and make sure my interpretation of the word matched its definition.

strad·dle, verb

1. sit or stand with one leg on either side of.

Every single person I checked with described the third baseman as straddling the bag.  In other words, he was in a proper, legal position with his feet on both sides of the bag providing an unimpeded path to the bag.  Had he been out in front of the bag in the runner's path without the ball in his possession, the third baseman would have been guilty of "obstruction," but that was not the case.  Even had he been obstructed, the runner was obligated to avoid the crash.  The umpire would have been correct to overrule the obstruction and rule him out.

The runner admitted he crashed into the third baseman.  Deciding he had no intention of sliding, the runner was left with three other options.  

1. Run directly to the bag but slow down significantly enough so as not to crash into the third baseman.
2. Veer to the left of third base to avoid the crash.
3. Veer to the right of third base to avoid the crash.

We have established that the third baseman, straddling the base, was in a legal position to make the play.  

While we were all taught years ago to block the base, catch the ball, and make the tag, this is no longer allowed.  Defensive players must catch the ball before blocking the base and then making the tag.  Therefore, besides straddling the bag, the third baseman's legal option to avoid obstruction were to be inside the foul line to either the left or right of the runner's base path, catch the ball, and then reach or slide over to apply the tag.  PLEASE NOTE, obstruction is based on the runner's path.  That means a runner that took a wide turn at second base might be coming into third base at an angle in which the third baseman quite likely would be obstructing his path if he is inside the foul line and to the left of the base.

So far, I haven't established what the umpire's responsibilities are on a play of this nature.  The particular person umpiring this game made the right call declaring the runner out.  He needed to differentiate between incidental contact and a collision.   Incidental is defined as accompanying but not a major part of something / liable to happen as a consequence of an activity.  Collision is defined as an instance of one person striking violently against another (a crash or bump).  And he needs to make this call in real time, quickly.  The other potential responsibility of the umpire is to determine if a runner who has veered to avoid contact would have been safe had he not veered.  That's not an easy thing to do and requires sound judgment.

The umpire was correct in calling the runner out for crashing into the third baseman.  Preventing the fielder from catching the throw was not a reason to make the out call.  The runner had every right to run to the bag or slide to the bag, but he can't crash into the player awaiting the throw and potentially injure him inadvertently.  We don't even allow a sliding runner to slide through the bag.  The EMASS rule does not penalize a runner for incidental contact.  Even on legal sliding plays there is usually some level of contact and sometimes even fielders topple slightly.  Instead, our EMASS rule  penalizes a runner for a collision.

It is never okay for a runner to "take out" a fielder or push him out of the way.  The runner has to trust that if the fielder is in your path to the base while not in possession of the ball, even if he is attempting to catch a throw, the umpire will reward the runner with the base on an obstruction call.  

I'm sure not every member of EMASS will be agreement regarding the rules that related to this play.  Please look forward to an upcoming Rules Forum that will go into the process we use to create and modify EMASS rules.  The rules that related to this play will be on the agenda of the Rules Committee during the off-season.

ASA/USA Certified Bats.

Question:  I'm considering buying a new bat.  My old Easton Synergy bat Model SCX2 must be at least 6 years old and most of my teammates are now using "hotter" bats.  As long as there's a ASA or USA certification mark on the bat, I should be okay, right?

Answer:  Not necessarily.  There are several bats that are still prohibited, regardless of the certification mark.  They appear on the USA Softball website and are known as "USA Softball Non-Approved Bat List with Certification Marks."  These are bats that at one time were approved by USA Softball but no longer meet the criteria for safe use.

It's the responsibility of each player in EMASS to determine whether his/her bat is approved by USA Softball.  The USA Softball website is the best source for this information.  It's not the easiest website to navigate, but I'll explain where you can find this information.  First go to the following link:  https://www.teamusa.org/usa-softball/play-usa-softball/certified-usa-softball-equipment

• It opens to a page entitled USA Softball Certified Equipment.  Scroll down to the section entitled Equipment - Bats.  That section will expand slightly.  Move your cursor to where it reads, "Click here for more information."
• Another page will open.  It's entitled USA Softball Bat Testing & Certification Program.  Feel free to read it, but this is not where you will learn about individual bats.  Scroll down below point 3 and the paragraph below it in italics starting with the following:  "All bats in USA Championship Play, except Seniors, must pass USA Softball Bat Performance Standards."  
• Below this are two more sections.  The top one list ALL "Approved Bats."  There is a small box in that section that reads "Display All."  If you simply want to look at one brand such as Miken, for instance, click on the down arrow and select that manufacturer.  If you want to see every bat sorted by manufacturer, leave it on "Display All" and then click on the box reading "Go."
• And if, instead, you want to see the complete list of "USA Softball Non-Approved Bat List with Certification Marks," scroll further down (just below the section reading "Approved Bats") to the section entitled "Non-Approved Bats."  This is what you'd find there:

Using an illegal bat is a serious violation of EMASS rules as it potentially exposes players to injury.

Do umpires check every bat every game? Not necessarily.  When I umpire, I sometimes check bats after a player has batted and the bat is sitting on the ground in the home plate area.

Do umpires check to see if a bat with either an ASA or USA Softball Certification Mark appears on the list of Non-Approved Bats with Certification Marks?  I can't speak to what most umpires do, but that list is just slightly longer than 1 page and I am one that prints them out and carries those printouts in the duffel bag I bring to all games I umpire.  And I do often check for bats that I know are on that list.

Who is Up When a Courtesy Runner is Called Out for Missing At-Bat? 

Question:  The Courtesy Runner was still on 3rd base when his spot in the batting order came up.  The umpire ruled that he was out.  But then there was a great deal of discussion about whether that runner should lead off the next inning or whether he lost his time at bat and the inning should be started with the next player in the batting order.

Answer:  We follow the USA Softball Rule 8 Section 9.  Normally when we follow any of their rules, we don't bother duplicating them in the EMASS rules.  But we realize not everyone is familiar with everything contained in the USA Softball Official Rules, so this is also covered by EMASS Rule 8 Section 1.  The player ruled out on the bases does NOT lose their time at bat.  He should  lead off the next inning.  The player ruled out is the player the courtesy runner had replaced. 

Think of it this way, if Joe can't run and Bob substitutes for his as a Courtesy Runner and scores, I imagine if you are keeping detailed statistics of your team, Joe would get credit for the run scored, not Bob.  The same is true here.  Bob is called out for violating the Courtesy Runner rule.  The out belongs to Joe.

Had there been fewer than 2 outs, I hope everyone realized that it would have been illegal to replace the Courtesy Runner on third base with another Courtesy Runner (except if the former was injured running the bases).  

Whether the Courtesy Runner is substituting for a batter after a "4-pitch walk" or for a runner, it's important that managers are aware of how many spots away the player he is considering announcing as the Courtesy Runner is in the batting order.  The rule of thumb is as follows:  With 0 outs, the Courtesy Runner needs to be at least 6 spots away in the batting order; with 1 out, 5 spots; and with 2 outs, 4.

Distracting a Pitcher with a 3-0 count.

I received a couple of questions pertaining to a situation that occurred in a recent National Division Game.  And I've witnessed similar scenarios that I'll merge into the description of what happened.  

The batter had a 3-0 count on him.  As the pitcher was beginning his delivery, the batter attempted to distract the pitcher by crowding the plate, menacingly waving his bat, feigning a bunt, or was so close to the strike mat that his upper body hung over the strike mat.  Obviously, not every one of these actions happened in that one at bat in the National Division, but I bet we've all seen a batter do one or more of those things when the count was 3-0 in their favor.  In that recent National Division game, I'm told that the pitcher, after starting his delivery, stopped when the batter began some of these antics.  The umpire called "ball 4."  I was asked whether this was the correct call.

As far as I was concerned, there is nothing in the rules that justified allowing the batter to walk.  I've always considered it "no pitch" any time a pitcher stopped his delivery and did not complete the pitch.  To determine if the umpire at that National Division game knew something I didn't know, I consulted the USA Softball Rule Book as well as some trusted USA Softball umpires I respect.

One of my trusted sources commented, "Me, personally, wouldn't bother with it unless I was doing a high end tourney.  (You would be) looking for a problem you don't need if you called that."  

His opinion sent me back to the rule book since he implied that at some level of competition, an illegal pitch (and an automatic ball) is the correct call.  The only thing I could come up with that might lead an umpire to call ball 4 in this example without the pitcher releasing the pitch was slow pitch rule 6C-3-A.  This rule reads "the pitcher shall not make any motion to pitch without immediately delivering the ball to the batter.  The effect of not acting accordingly is an illegal pitch."  I was ready to concede that I learned something new until continued reading the rule book.

Section 9 of that same rule (6C-9-E) reads as follows:  NO PITCH "When a player...commits any act while the ball is live for the obvious purpose of trying to make the pitcher commit an illegal pitch."  It goes on to state, "A warning shall be issued to the offending team, and a repeat of this type act by any member of the team warned shall result in the offender being ejected from the game."   This surely supersedes the illegal pitch covered in 6C-3-A.

The umpire was incorrect allowing the batter to walk.  He should have declared "No Pitch" and was within his right to issue the warning (but I, personally, don't see the need to issue such a warning in a recreational type softball game).  And, by the way, if the batter is hanging his upper body over the strike mat and the umpire judged that the pitch did not hit the strike mat because it hit the part of the batter over-hanging the strike mat, the correct call is "strike." 

Appeals of Missing a Base.  

Q.  On an infield ground ball, the batter-runner clearly beat the throw to the first baseman.  However, the umpire called the batter-runner out for missing the safety base.  Nobody on the team in the field noticed he missed touching the base so no one appealed the play.  Was the umpire right in calling the batter-runner out?

A.  No.  While it's great the umpire was in position to see that the batter-runner missed touching the safety base, making an out call without the play being properly appealed by the defense is not the correct call.  When a batter-runner passes the safety base at first before the throw arrives and a defensive player is in contact with the first base bag or tags the batter-runner, they are considered safe unless properly appealed.  While most appeals can be in the form of a live ball appeal or a dead ball appeal, this particular one must be made while the ball is live.  In other words, the fielder must tag the batter-runner before they have returned to the safety base and touched it.

What the umpire should do when they realize the batter-runner missed touching the safety base is hesitate before making the call and signaling the runner safe.  Next, the umpire should refrain from calling time out until it's clear no appeal is forthcoming.  If the umpire were to jump the gun and call time and then realize the defense wants to make an appeal and the batter-runner still hasn't returned to the safety base, the umpire could call time in and allow the appeal to unfold.  

Last, if the batter-runner who missed the safety base later proceeded directly to the regular first base, they could still be tagged out on a live ball appeal.

Umpire Responsibilities when there are two Umps. Playoffs offer us a glimpse of what it's like to have our games officiated by two umpires. 

The two umpires have specific responsibilities.  The plate umpire has most of the responsibilities.

Primary Responsibilities of the Plate Umpire:

• Acts as the umpire-in-chief for the game and lead the pre-game conference with managers.
• Determines balls and strikes including illegal pitches.
• Determines any batting violations.
• Legal placement of the pitching screen and whether a batted ball has struck the screen.
• Calls fair or foul balls.
• Judges balls to be infield flies.
• Judges balls as caught or trapped by a fielder.
• Rules on whether a base runner is safe or out at third base and all plays at home plate.  
• Calls time out when the all runners have ceased their attempt to advance and when the fielders are no longer attempting to throw out any runners, provided the ball is in the infield or it will be run fully into the infield, imminently.  
• Indicates when play resumes.
• Determines whether a runner scores before the third out on a non-force play.
• Shares the responsibility with the Base Umpire on interference calls on the base runner or obstruction by the fielder.  In particular, despite the fact than many of the fields we play on do not even have drawn first or third baselines, the plate umpire should make sure batter-runners have run outside the base line after they have run approximately half-way to first base and are not interfering with throws to first base by the catcher, pitcher, and possibly even a charging third baseman. 

Primary Responsibilities of the Base Umpire:

• Makes all calls at first and second base and on the batter-runner at third base.
• Shares with the plate umpire ruling on interference by the base runner or obstruction by the fielder.
• Rules on swings and checked swings or a pitch reaching the strike mat or falling slightly short, if the plate umpire requests help. 
• May go out to the outfield to assist on judging sinking line drives (catch or trap) or fair or foul balls.  This is rarely done since it requires a snap judgement on a batted ball as to the likelihood that a batted ball might result in a close call. 

Both umpires know their over-riding obligation is to get the call right whether it's a judgement call or a rules interpretation.  But they are human and just like fielders bungling a batted ball, they make mistakes, too.  With two umpires, there is the possibility that an incorrect call or interpretation can be corrected, but that does not always happen. Here is a recent example.

• Runners were on first and third with one out.  The batter hit a fly ball to left field.  The runner on first base had gone about one-third of the way to second base while the runner on third stayed on the bag preparing to tag up.  
• The correct mechanics for the base umpire in the case of nearly any ball hit to the outfield was for him to run into the infield inside the base line and buttonhook so he could watch the ball being fielded, the runner and/or batter-runner touching the bases, and let the ball take him to the play.  Instead, this umpire did not move and watched the play from the outfield grass between first and second base.  The plate umpire correctly moved out from behind home plate into the infield to get a better view of both the outfielder making the catch and the positioning of the base runners, particularly the runner on third making sure he did not leave the base before the outfielder's first touch.  The plate umpire clearly saw the catch and clearly saw that only the runner on third base had tagged up legally.
• As the throw from the left fielder headed towards home plate, the runner on first base took a couple of steps back toward first base, got within 5 feet of the bag, and then reversed and broke for second. 
• The throw from the outfield had no chance of recording an out at home plate and was cut off and held by the infielder because there was no play at second base.  The plate umpire called time out.
• After the umpire called time out, the catcher yelled for the infielder to throw the ball to the first baseman saying that the runner on first failed to tag up.  Since time was out, there was no need for the ball to be thrown to first base.  Any coach or infielder with or without possession of the ball may make a verbal appeal (dead ball appeal) on a runner missing a base or leaving a base early on a caught fly ball.  Therefore, the plate umpire clarified what the catcher was trying to do by asking, "Are you appealing that the runner left first base early?"  The catcher confirmed that was the case.
• The plate umpire informed both teams that there was an appeal on the runner now on second base. The base umpire ruled him safe.  Since the plate umpire realized the importance of getting the call made correctly, he consulted with the base umpire and asked him whether he got a good look at the play and whether he was certain of his call.  The base umpire ruled that he had.  Since calls at first and second base are the domain of the base umpire, the plate umpire could not override what he perceived as an incorrect call.  Had he asked for and taken the input of the plate umpire, it would have still been the base umpire's responsibility to change the call from safe to out, not the plate umpire's.  

Assuming the base umpire was watching the left fielder to determine when he first touched the ball, a base umpire between first and second base likely did not see whether the runner had legally tagged up at first base since that would have occurred outside his field of view.  So why did he make the wrong call and refuse help?  I don't know.  You tell me.  Why do multiple witnesses to the same event (or crime) see things differently?  Or did the umpire see the runner making an incomplete effort to return to first base and tag up and assumed he did go all the way back?  Or was it simply ego?  We'll never know.  It's very likely the base umpire honestly thought he saw the play and made the right call.  It's also possible that the plate umpire (me) and the catcher, think they saw the complete play but actually never saw the runner tag up and were thrown off when they saw that the runner had stopped and retreated a few feet before breaking for second base.  We are all human and humans are imperfect.

Avoiding a Collision at 1st. I blew a call today.  It wasn't the first time I've done so and I'm sure it won't be the last time either.  Some thought I missed a few others, and they might have been right there, too.  Or not.  But the one I decided to write about was different than some judgement calls players may have questioned.  Nobody wants to make the wrong call when it comes to rules.

Here was the situation.  The batter lined a ball into left-center and the middle fielder, positioned almost perfectly, fielded the ball quickly and threw to first base.  The play was in front of the batter, so he was aware that a play was being made on him and ran toward the alternate first base as required.  The throw from the middle infielder was nearly perfect, just slightly overthrown.  The first baseman drifted into foul territory as he prepared to catch the slightly errant throw from the outfield so the batter-runner and first baseman were in the same space just in front of the alternate first base.  In a bang-bang play, the batter-runner put on the brakes and never reached the alternate base. The first baseman tagged him and also touched the base.  

I felt the batter-runner was hindered in reaching the alternate first base in his attempt to avoid crashing into the first baseman (their contact was incidental) so I incorrectly called him safe due to obstruction.  However, EMASS rules (rule 8-2.A.3) specifically anticipate the possibility of an overthrow that could pull the first baseman into foul ground and into the potential path of the batter-runner.  The rule states:  "In the event of such an overthrow and in this instance only, in an attempt to avoid a collision, the batter-runner is allowed to touch the regular first base if that is the best route to avoid a collision."  

Now put yourself in the batter-runner's position with all this happening at nearly warp speed.  The batter-runner has seen that despite hitting a line drive into left-center, a play is being made on him.  He correctly focused on the alternate first base, but suddenly notices the first baseman is drifting into foul territory right into the path he is taking to the alternate first base.  Now, assuming he's even aware of the rule, he needs to adjust to a new target, the regular first base.  Probably the last thing we can expect of him is to also pick up the throw that is coming in from shallow left-centerfield.  One could easily imagine the reluctance of a batter-runner to change his route at the last second veering towards the regular first base.  Not knowing exactly where the thrown ball is, running inside the first baseman  could result in getting plunked by the throw.  That's why our EMASS rule allows the batter-runner another option:.  "If the risk of collision causes the batter runner to miss BOTH the alternate or regular first base, the umpire should use his/her discretion and rule the batter-runner safe..."  Therefore, in this instance, the safest route the batter-runner could take to avoid contact with a defenseless first baseman was to veer off even farther to his right, remaining outside the first baseman and missing both bases entirely. 

The bottom line was that after obsessing over this call over the course of several of the following innings, I later concluded that calling obstruction and the batter-runner safe at first base was the wrong call.  I should have called him out for failing to veer off and making contact with the first baseman as a result of not doing so.  EMASS rules state that since the play is in front of the batter-runner, it is the batter-runner's responsibility to ensure there is no contact between him and first baseman.  I explained this to both teams after the game.  Now the rest of you know what to do if you find yourself in this predicament.    

Interference on Double-plays. There was a runner on first base with less than 2 outs and the batter hit a ground ball.  The ball was flipped to the fielder covering second for the first out but the fielder hesitated making his throw because the base runner had not veered off.  Question: Shouldn't this be called an automatic double play?

A:  While EMASS instituted a couple of rules associated with the base runner veering off, both rule 8-3 and 8-3.B are clear that the runner must veer off or slide to avoid colliding with the fielder, but no mention is made regarding veering off to avoid getting hit with a throw.  The infielder who is the middle person on a potential double play has options.  He can make a clear throw to first base by coming across the bag or throwing it overhand above the runner.  

While the smart thing for a runner to do to avoid getting hit by a thrown ball is to veer off (or slide), the runner is not required to do so.  The runner is only required to ensure he/she does not collide with the fielder.  The only way a runner who has not veered off (or slid) could be judged to have interfered with the fielder would be if he/she did something out of the ordinary when running (like raising their arms to affect the throw to first base or knock it down) or yelling in some way to intimidate or distract the fielder.  These would be examples of interference and, if in the opinion of the umpire, these acts possibly negated a double play, the umpire may award a second out at the appropriate base.  

Last, contrary to obstruction, interference by the team at bat creates a dead ball.  So let's assume that in the above example there had been runners on first and third and no outs.  The batter hit a ground ball, both runners began attempting to advance, and the fielder flipped the ball to second base for the force out.  However, the runner attempting to advance to second base on the force play either maintained his base path running directly to second base and either reached out with his arm and made contact with the throw to first base or ran into the player just as he was completing a throw to first base.  The correct call by the umpire then would be dead ball - interference.  So, in addition to the force out at second base, because of the interference call the umpire, in all likelihood, would judge that the possibility of the double play had been negated so the batter-runner would also be out at first base.  And the other runner would have to return to third base, the last base that runner occupied at the time of the interference.   

Courtesy Runners. Despite EMASS following the USA Softball Courtesy Runner rule for several years, a number of questions were received recently pertaining to the Courtesy Runner rules.

Q;  Can a Courtesy Runner be sent in after an at bat has begun?

A:  A Courtesy Runner can be sent whenever time is out.  The substitution does not have to occur before the first pitch to the batter.  However, once the umpire has called "Play," he is not required to grant time if requested, especially if the pitcher is ready to pitch.  If the umpire does not grant time, a manager can request a courtesy runner again after the pitch.

Q:  What should an umpire do if a Courtesy Runner has been named by a manager, but that player had himself been replaced by a Courtesy Runner earlier in the inning?

A.  Rule 8-1.E states that a runner who is replaced by a Courtesy Runner cannot be used as a Courtesy Runner for the remainder of the inning.  A violation of this rule makes the selected Courtesy Runner an illegal Courtesy Runner, results in an out, and the removal of the runner from the base. HOWEVER, as you will read again below, the EMASS Courtesy Runner rule has a wrinkle that differs from the USA Softball rule.  Provided no pitch has been delivered to the next batter, the umpire can (and really should) inform the manager that the Courtesy Runner that they designated is ineligible and the manager should select someone else to avoid the out.  An eligible Courtesy Runner can still enter even if the ineligible one has stepped on the base.

Q:  Can a Courtesy Runner on base be replaced by another Courtesy Runner?  

A:  I was really surprised anyone thought you could replace a Courtesy Runner with a different Courtesy Runner. Everyone is aware that they should not put in a player that is due within 5 batters. If it were legal to replace a Courtesy Runner with a different one, there would be no need to worry about when he bats.  No, a Courtesy Runner is prohibited from running for an existing Courtesy Runner except for injury.  But this is a good opportunity to expand on this answer and share my personal perspective on one of the key tenets of EMASS: good sportsmanship.  

Several years ago before EMASS adopted the USA Softball Courtesy Runner rule, we had a Pinch Runner rule that limited players from pinch running more than once per game.  Umpires in those days were charged with recording the names of anyone who entered the game as a Pinch Runner.  It wasn't an onerous task since far fewer base runners were replaced for Pinch Runners.  But now Courtesy Runners are used frequently.  If the umpires were still recording every such move, games would drag on an on and the umpires would need reams of paper to keep track of all the tactical moves.  It borders on impossible for umpires to remember every player that serves as a Courtesy Runner in any given inning as well as the player they replaced (who become ineligible to serve as a Courtesy Runner in that inning), and harder still this season with so many masked up and unrecognizable.  Umpires rely to some degree on the integrity of the managers to properly substitute and on the extra pair of eyes of the opposing team.  I'll get into how good sportsmanship plays into the Courtesy Runner rule below.

Good sportsmanship makes appearances in EMASS games quite frequently and in many different forms. 

1. It came in the form of a baserunner who scored but realized he missed third base on his way home, told the umpire, and encouraged the opposing pitcher to appeal the play at third base. That is an off-the-chart example! 
2. It's not uncommon to see a bunch of guys on the offensive team applauding a great defensive play that robbed their team of a much needed hit. That is a common example of sportsmanship.
3. When an umpire queried a Courtesy Runner who had just entered the field if he was ineligible, the player replied that yes he had been replaced by a Courtesy Runner earlier in the inning, so the umpire correctly ruled him out. 
4. And in an uncommon example, in a game a few weeks ago when an illegal substitution, if enforced, would have ended a game and the team at bat would lose by 1 run, the manager of the team in the lead showed rare sportsmanship by requesting that the game be played out.

The 4th example was commendable as an act of good sportsmanship, but we never want to put a manager in a difficult spot like that.  And that's why the EMASS version of the Courtesy Runner rule is less strict than the USA Softball rule.  Regardless of whether a manager designated a player who was ineligible to serve as a Courtesy Runner, even if he entered the playing field and touched the base, our rule 8-1.A empowers the umpire to inform the manager that the player they selected is ineligible and instruct the manager to choose someone else, provided the umpire realizes this before the first pitch to the next batter.  The opposing manager could also inform either their counterpart manager or the umpire.  

Now I'm not going to suggest that failure of the manager to do so before the first pitch is an act of poor sportsmanship.  After all, it's not his responsibility to know which players on his opponent's team are eligible and those who are not.  But doing so certainly is an example of good sportsmanship and could improve one's karma.  No one should judge a person poorly for taking advantage of their counterpart's carelessness and appealing to the umpire that the ineligible Courtesy Runner be ruled out.

When is Running Backwards an Out?  Runners on 1st and 2nd, less than 2 outs, and the batter hit a ground ball in the hole between third and short.  The shortstop fielded it and the runner on 2nd stopped and then began to move back towards 2nd base to avoid being tagged out and likely being the front end of a doubleplay.   Can the runner on 2nd legally do this or should he have been called out for retreating towards 2nd instead of being tagged out?

Answer:  While it seems that many of our members believe the runner should be ruled out, no, the runner is not out for running backwards toward second to avoid the tag.  That's just a smart play.  However, a batter-runner who stops running towards first and instead starts retreating shall be called out immediately. This is considered a type of interference.  USA Softball Rule 8-2-H.reads as follows:  When the batter-runner steps back toward home plate to avoid or delay a tag by a fielder, the ball is dead, the batter-runner is out, and runners must return to the last base touched at the time of the interference.

The Infield Fly Rule with a Pitching Screen. As often happens when people see me at the field, I'm asked about a rule or a situation.  A pitcher asked me an interesting one the other day that pertains to games played with the pitching screen.  The hypothetical question he asked had runners on first and second, one out.  What would happen if there were a pop fly headed for the middle of the infield, the umpire yelled, "Infield fly, batter is out," but the ball either hit the pitching screen or bounced into it without first being touched by the pitcher or any other infielder?

Our rule 6-3.G regarding balls hitting the pitching screen is specific and offers no exceptions.  

6-3.G.  Any batted ball hit into the Pitching Screen netting or striking any part of the Pitching Screen structure is a DEAD BALL (NO PITCH).

Just as the batter would not be ruled out on a potential infield fly rule that was not caught and landed foul in a situation in which the umpire failed to add "if fair" to the call "Infield fly rule batter is out if fair," the batter should not be ruled out just because the umpire made the out call before the batted ball struck the pitching screen.  Rule 6-3.G would preempt the infield fly rule and it would only be a Dead Ball.

While some might think applying the rule this way is wrong and should be changed, there are compelling reasons to enforce the Pitching Screen rule consistently and interpret the Infield Fly Rule accordingly.  

• First, the infield fly rule was not created to reward the infielders and make it unnecessary to catch an infield fly ball.  It exists to protect the runners from being forced out, potentially resulting in a double or triple play.  Infielders are still supposed to catch the ball.
• If they fail to catch the ball in an "infield fly rule" situation, runners may attempt to advance at their own risk. Had the screen not been in place in this hypothetical situation and the pitcher misplayed the ball and the ball clanged off the end of his glove and rolled away from him into foul territory, the base runners might have attempted to advance and quite possibly would have done so safely.    Therefore, if we ruled the batter automatically out but the ball dead because it first hit the pitching screen, this would have benefited the defense and eliminated the offense from the opportunity to advance.  And if we ruled the batter out and allowed the runners to advance as the ball caromed off the pitching screen, that would be just wrong and potentially create an unsafe situation as the infielders attempt to run around the screen chasing the ball.
• For the umpire to invoke and enforce the infield fly ball rule, the ball must either be caught in fair territory or it has to land as a fair ball.  Make the catch if you can.  Of course, if any infielder made contact with the ball before it hit the pitching screen, the batter would be ruled out, and the ball remains live until the umpire calls time out. 

Intentional Walk Tactics.  In all our divisions other than Metro (Platinum in 2020), we have a process for intentional walks.  Often, one hears the team on defense shouting out to the umpire, or more often to the opposing team's bench to "insert a runner."  This is almost exclusively done to set up a force out situation.

I'm not sure where to begin in examining this practice.  Let's start at the beginning.  Runners are not "inserted" in a game arbitrarily.  I'm having a hard time thinking of any instance where this is even possible except for an intentional walk.  So really, what the defense wants to do is intentionally walk the batter.

Second, only the manager is authorized to be the one to decide to intentionally walk the batter.  The reason the pitcher is not allowed to do so can be explained by the following. Many of us have seen instances where the pitcher makes such a decision, the umpire begins the process (more on this to follow), and the manager / coach yells that he does not want to do so, and the player who just started heading to first base as a courtesy runner has to be called back.  So let's all agree that only the manager makes this call.  

Now I understand that sometimes the manager is on the bench or in the outfield so it's not as easy as the pitcher doing this, but if the manager is in a more remote place on the field, they can still call time out and get the message to the umpire.  From the outfield, 4 fingers and pointing to first base will likely get the message across.  But please note, umpires frown on any signals made with only one finger... 

Okay, now that the batter has been intentionally walked, this is where things often really go off the rails.  For some reason, far too frequently the team in the field seems to believe they can dictate the strategy of the team at bat.  They have no more right to do that than they do in setting their opponent's batting order.  Once the defense has announced their intent to intentionally walk the batter, the offense's manager  has a decision to make.  It's the manager of the team at bat who decides whether the batter will accept the walk and proceed to first base, or whether he will substitute a courtesy runner at first base for the batter and allow the batter to remain at bat.

Why do we have such a complicated process?  Some EMASS members who have been around for many seasons probably recall a period before our rule related to "4 pitch walks" was implemented.  It was not uncommon for our better hitters to be pitched around.  Imagine the frustration of commuting close to an hour round-trip, getting up about six times during the course of the day, and never getting a good pitch to hit.   So this rule was created to ensure these players had the same opportunity to hit the ball that the rest of us got.  Today, managers allow most of their batters an opportunity every at bat to get something good to hit.  That's their prerogative.  Sometimes the game situation dictates that it's in the team's best interest to accept the base on balls and for the batter to proceed to first, and sometimes they can afford to let the batter have that opportunity to get a hit during their at bat.

In the Metro (Platinum) division, there is currently no provision for intentionally walking a batter until the batter hits a foul ball, bats the ball into the pitching screen, swings and misses a pitch, or the umpire has called a strike on the batter.  After a batter has a strike on them, or has hit a dead ball into the pitching screen, the pitcher can wave the batter to first intentionally or walk the batter by pitching four balls. If the batter receives 4 straight balls without a strike, the manager of the batter has a choice.  The manager can refuse the walk and keep the batter at bat with a new count (and NO courtesy runner is put on first base) or accept the base on balls and instruct the batter to take first base.  This decision is the option of the manager of the team at bat, not the choice of the team in the field.

Does the Run Count?  Bases were loaded with one out and the batter hit a fly ball to right field.  The outfielder dove for the ball and juggled it.  The umpire hesitated before making the out call and the base runner on first base thought the ball had been trapped or hit the ground and broke for second.  The other two runners tagged up on the play as soon as the batted ball initially touched the fielder's glove but before the catch became legal.  The right fielder got up and threw to first and the runner was ruled out for the third out of the inning. 

Questions. 

1. If the runner on third base crossed home plate before the runner on first was ruled out for the third out, was the umpire correct in counting the run or should the run not count because the runner was forced out at first base?
2. Could the defense appeal that the runner on third shouldn't count because he tagged up too soon, before the catch became legal?

Answers:

1. The situation you described is technically a live ball appeal.  It's not considered a force out.  And appeal plays are considered "time plays."  So what does this mean?  I'll take my explanation right from the USA Softball Rule Book's Rules Supplement.  Tag-ups.  When a runner leaves the base too soon on a caught fly ball and returns in an attempt to retouch (the base left too soon), this is considered a time play and not a force out.  When the appeal is the third out, all runs scored in advance of the appealed runner and prior to the legal appeal count.   So, the run does count.
2. As for when a runner can legally tag up, the runner can do so legally as soon as the ball is touched by the fielder, not when the ball is finally fully secured.  The defense could appeal, but based on the description of the play, the appeal would be denied.  The runner was "entitled to advance with liability to be put out" as soon as the batted ball was first touched by the defensive player.
3. And here's an answer to a question that was not asked.  I bet it's something you've never heard before.  Let's assume in the situation described by the questioner that the fly ball was routine and to shallow right field.  Both the runner on first and the runner on third tried to get a jump on the throw when they tagged up, and both left their respective bases early.  The right fielder caught the ball in full stride and threw the runner on first out before he could get safely back to first base.  But before the all the defense's infielders left the infield, the third baseman appealed that the runner who scored had also left third base early.  This is known as a "Fourth-Out Appeal."  An appeal may be made after the third out of an inning as long as long as it is made properly.  The appeal must be made on a runner who has scored but missed a base or left a base too soon.  In this case, the runner who was on third base should also be called out, and the run does NOT count.  

Intentionally Dropped Balls.

With two recently disputed calls in the same week around the rule regarding intentionally dropped balls, I thought it was a good time to clarify this rule.  

According to the USA Softball Rules Supplement:  The ball cannot be intentionally dropped unless the fielder has actually caught it, and then drops it.  Merely guiding the ball to the ground is not an intentionally dropped ball.

Okay then, so what constitutes a catch since the fielder must be judged to have caught a batted ball?  USA Softball has a long definition of what is and what is not a catch.  Most of them are irrelevant to the subject of intentionally dropping a ball so I'll mention only two:

• A catch is a legally caught ball, which occurs when the fielder catches a batted ball with the hand(s) or glove/mitt.
• To establish a valid catch, the fielder shall hold the ball long enough to prove control of it and/or the release of the ball (transfer) is voluntary.

Obviously, determining whether the ball has been held long enough to prove control is a judgement call.  And a judgement call does not mean your judgement; it means the umpire's.

For an umpire to rule a batted ball as intentionally dropped, there must be at least one potential force play (runner on first, runners on first and third, etc.) and fewer than two outs.

As I mentioned, this came up in two recent games.  In one, there was a runner on first with one out and the batter hit a weak pop up towards the shortstop.  The batter-runner made no attempt to run out the batted ball, so the shortstop stepped back and made no attempt at catching the ball.  As soon as the ball landed, he picked it up, made the play at second base on the runner forced to go there, and threw to first base for what the shortstop expected to be a doubleplay. 

But in the game, the umpire ruled that the batter was automatically out and returned the base runner to first base.  This was an INCORRECT call.  This was not a judgement call, just an incorrect understanding of the rule.  The shortstop made a smart play and the reason the reason the offense had been exposed to a potential doubleplay was the fact that the batter made no attempt to run out the play.  

The second incident was a bit less clear cut and was a judgement call.  Bases were loaded and there was one out.  A soft line drive was hit right at the middle infielder.  He let the ball hit his glove and let it drop to his feet.  The infielder never closed his glove around the ball.  Therefore, the umpire correctly ruled that it was not a caught ball.  

The base runners were confused and stopped running even though they were now forced.  The infielder tracked down the ball, picked it off the ground, and ran to touch second base for the force out.  But this took a little time and the batter-runner had hustled down the line and easily beat the throw preventing the doubleplay.  Kudos to the batter-runner.  Unfortunately, instead of his teammates congratulating the batter-runner for his hustle, far more time was spent arguing that the umpire should have (incorrectly) ruled the ball dead, the batter out, and returned all base runners to their original places.  Needless to say, the discussion to change the ruling on the play got nowhere with the umpire since it was a judgement call and the umpire remained convinced he had ruled correctly.  And, in the end, it was a pointless argument since, even if the umpire changed his call, the situation remained identical; two outs and the bases loaded.

My recommendation to all you batter-runners out there is to run out every pop up.  My recommendations to all you umpires out there are as follows:

• If you are positive the ball was not caught and intentionally dropped, let the play proceed and turn a deaf ear to the complaints of the offensive team until the play has come to its conclusion.
• But if you are slightly less than 100 percent positive, even 90+ percent positive, and it's possible the fielder did catch the ball and then intentionally dropped it, you need to rule the play dead, the batter out, and return all base runners to the base(s) occupied at the time of the pitch.
• You are going to get complaints whichever way you rule, so if there's a possibility in your mind that the ball was caught and then intentionally dropped, you are better off protecting the base runners.  You are in a no-win situation so prepare yourself for the hullabaloo that will ensue.  You've potentially robbed the defense of a doubleplay and, because you are required to make the call quickly, you possibly robbed the offense of the opportunity to advance if the ball got away from the fielder.

This like most judgement calls are very difficult to make.  And don't even get me started on the infield fly rule. 

Is the Mat fair or foul?

During a recent EMASS game, something unusual happened, unusual even for Senior Softball.  The players in the game were puzzled about how the play should be ruled.  Here's what happened.

The batter hit a weak pop up that landed in front of the pitcher.  The batted ball had lots of backspin so the ball began rolling back towards home plate and settled on one of the batting mats.  A debate ensued with the question whether a ball on the mat was fair or foul.

The answer:  Our mats represent the batter's box.  Part of the batter's box is in fair territory and the majority of it is in foul territory.  The determination of whether the ball came to rest in fair or foul territory totally depends on where the ball was in relationship to the baseline.   

Many don't understand why home plate is painted on our strike mat.  There are two reasons for this.  First, home plate (and it's depiction on the strike mat) is in FAIR TERRITORY.  A ball that comes to rest on the strike mat but on top of the painted home plate is a fair ball.  Second, umpires need the painted home plate on the strike mat so they can visually determine the base line, particularly if one is not painted on the field and especially since even a painted one would be covered by the mat.  Therefore, a ball coming to rest on the batting mat may or may not be a foul ball, depending on where the ball comes to rest relative to home plate and the baseline.