Reprinted with written permission from Referee magazine. For subscription information contact Referee magazine at 800-733-6100 When it comes to interference, there are a couple of myths that have permeated the sport: • There must be contact in order for there to be interference. • If there is contact then it is automatically interference. Because of this last myth, there is
Normal Advancing; Returning and Unusual Situations
Be sure to read the other articles which relate to a runner advancing which can be viewed in this same section – Rules Corner/Runners. There are additional related articles in the Rules Corner/Defense/Appeals section- College Appeal Plays; and in the Rules Corner/The Game/Umpires section – Scoring Runs. Normal Advancing Touching bases Running the bases encompasses both advancing and returning to the
Scoring Runs
See the article in the section: Rules Corner/The Game/Umpires.
Runner Interference
Because of the complexity of the interference rule and also due to the usually highly intensive argument that the interference call elicits, the Locker Room has multiple articles covering the different types of interference. This article will focus on interference by an active runner (excluding the batter-runner). The other articles which cover interference, all of which are in this same
Interference by Retired Runner
Because of the complexity of the interference rule and also due to the usually highly intensive argument that the interference elicits, the Locker Room has multiple articles covering the different types of interference. This article will discuss retired runner interference. Interference by a retired runner does not happen often but when it does the effect is serious – the runner
Offensive Team Personnel/Equipment Interference
Offensive Team Personnel Interference This article is the second one which discusses uncommon interference, the first of which is Interference by Retired Runner. Another type of uncommon interference is perpetrated by offensive team personnel. Who, exactly, are included as offensive team personnel for this rule? We have covered two examples above – a retired runner and a runner who has
Team Interference – Home Run Celebration
Introduction Team interference can happen during either a live ball or dead ball. Interference during a live ball is discussed in two separate articles on this Locker Room (Interference by Retired Runner, and Offensive Team Personnel/Equipment Interference). This article will cover offensive team interference during a dead ball. award. The rules for this are often referred to as the home-run
Collisions
Be ready to make this call The NCAA has added to the rule book additional wording and emphasis on collisions with the intent to encourage players to avoid them whenever possible. This puts additional pressure on umpires, as we now need to judge whether a collision was avoidable, intentional, malicious, obstruction, interference, or some combination of these. Collisions can happen
Batter-Runner; BR Interference
Batter-Runner The batter transitions from batter to BR when she no longer has either foot in the batter’s box after contacting a pitch (note: the batter is considered out of the batter’s box after hitting the ball when both feet are in contact with the ground and one is completely outside the box (A.R.11-22): • After a legally batted fair
Batter-runner Regulations for the Look-back Rule
Batter-runner and the Look-back rule This rule is not in effect until the batter-runner has reached first base or has been declared out, whichever occurs first, AND the pitcher has possession of the ball in the pitcher’s circle. It is critically important to know when the batter runner has touched first base on a live ball. Here is an example
Abandoning a base
Abandonment – leave or forsake completely; to give up possession, withdraw from. Abandoning a base is the simple act of leaving a base without cause. This can happen for many reasons; the most common reasons – the runner assumes she has been called out or thinking that another runner has been called out for the third out of an inning.
Pitcher Dupes Runner – Interpretation for Rule 12.14
On 11/28/18 the NCAA Softball Rules Editor released an official interpretation for Rule 12.4, and Case Book plays A.R 12-35 and A.R. 12-37. Revised Interpretation for Rule 12.14 A pitcher may not violate a pitching procedure to dupe runner(s) into leaving the base early. This act violates the spirit and intent of Rule 12.14.2 and makes a travesty of the game.
Look-back Rule
Why do we have a pitcher’s circle in softball? If you watch a Major League baseball game on TV, you will notice that the players and umpires call a lot of time-outs – almost every time a pitch hits the ground or after ball four, as well as when the ball is thrown back into the infield after a hit.
Pitcher’s Regulations for the Look-back Rule
Pitcher’s possession of ball in circle The look-back rule comes into play after the ball has been hit and the play appears to be coming to a completion. This rule is also important in determining when a play is over 1) the ball is in the circle in the possession of the pitcher and 2) all runners, including the batter-runner,
Runners’ Regulations for the Look-back Rule
Runners must be aware of when the pitcher has gained possession of the ball inside the circle. There is a difference in the codes with regard to the runners’ obligations: • ASA, NFHS, USSSA – if runners are moving between bases when the pitcher has possession of the ball in the circle, they may continue going toward that base, stop
Tie Goes To a Runner
This article was written for, and was published in Referee Magazine… Fans, players and coaches are often heard stating “the tie goes to the runner.” However, no rule in baseball or softball has this phrase. A few reputable MLB umpires have stated: “there is no tie; they’re either out or safe!” The last half of that statement is inarguably true;