2014 SOFTBALL OFFICIALS STUDY GUIDE

Transcription

1 2014 SOFTBALL OFFICIALS STUDY GUIDE NOTE: In the exam situations, F refers to a fielder, B refers to a batter and R refers to a runner. All situations and acts are legal, and no errors or mistakes are involved unless otherwise noted. Number Question Answer1 Answer2 Answer3 Answer4 Answer5 1 A coach may never make a baserunning appeal; only players on the field may appeal. 2 An appeal must be made on the last play of the game before all infielders leave the field. 3 Any defensive fielder may make a live-ball appeal with the ball in her possession by tagging the runner or touching the base that was missed or left too early. 4 For purposes of an appeal, when a runner passes a base she is considered to have touched it. 5 Only one appeal may be made on any given runner. 6 When the ball goes out of play, runners must be given the opportunity to complete their baserunning responsibilities before a dead-ball appeal is made. 7 A base runner is out if a fair untouched batted ball strikes her after it passes any infielder and the umpire judges that another fielder has an opportunity to make an out. 8 A runner is not out if hit with a fair batted ball that deflects off F1's glove. 9 A runner is out for interference if she intentionally contacts a fielder attempting to make the initial play on a fair batted ball. 10 An obstructed runner is always awarded one base beyond the base where the runner was obstructed. 11 If a runner is tagged out between the two bases where she was obstructed, the runner is awarded the base(s) she would have reached had there been no obstruction.

2 12 It is not obstruction if an errant throw pulls the firstbase player without the ball into the path of the batterrunner, and impedes her progress. 13 The runner being played on is out when the on-deck batter commits interference. 14 Two base runners may not legally occupy the same base simultaneously. 15 When a base has been dislodged from its proper position, runners must still touch or follow the base out of position. 16 When a batter-runner has one foot touching completely outside the running lane and is contacted with a thrown ball, she is not out for interference provided the ball contacts her in the area directly above the running lane. 17 When a double first base is used, a runner may touch the colored portion of the base when returning to first base. 18 A batter obviously moves a body part to get hit by a pitch that is within the batter's box. The batter is awarded first base. 19 A pitched ball hits a batter within the batter's box and the batter makes no attempt to avoid being hit. The batter is awarded first base. 20 A batter shall not hit the ball fair or foul while either foot is touching the ground completely outside the lines of the batter's box or while touching home plate. 21 A foul is called on the batter when, after hitting the ball, she intentionally hits the ball a second time in fair territory. 22 After the first inning, the first batter in each inning shall be the player whose name follows that of the last batter to complete her turn at bat in the preceding inning.

3 23 B1 holds the bat in the strike zone as the pitch is delivered, but does not make any movement to the ball as it passes 2 inches over the bat. The umpire shall call a ball as the batter did not offer at the pitch. 24 Following batter's interference with the catcher, the ball is dead immediately. 25 If the batter fails to be ready within the allotted time after the ball is returned to the pitcher, the umpire shall call a strike. 26 When an improper batter is discovered in the batter's box and at bat, she is immediately called out. 27 With a runner on first base and less than two outs, F2 must catch the third strike in flight for the batter to be out. 28 A coach may be in possession of a Personal Data Assistant (PDA) in the coaching box, provided it is being used for scorekeeping purposes. 29 A player in the game may wear earrings provided they are covered by tape. 30 A strike is called on the batter who deliberately removes a chalk line of the batter's box. 31 Deliberately throwing a bat or helmet may result in the offender being ejected. 32 Initiating malicious contact is a serious offense and results in the offender being ejected. 33 Each team, when on defense, may be granted not more than three charged conferences without penalty during a seven-inning game. 34 The defensive-charged conference rule is in effect when the ball first becomes live at the start of each half-inning. 35 The offensive-team charged conference rule is effective when the ball first becomes live at the start of each half-inning.

4 36 A coach not dressed in appropriate attire shall be ejected. 37 If a base coach in foul territory intentionally interferes with a thrown ball, the runner closest to home is out. 38 If a coach physically assists a runner during playing action, the ball is dead immediately, the assisted runner is out and all other action on the play is nullified. 39 The head coach is required to attend the pregame conference with the umpire(s). 40 While in the coach's box, coaches may not wear any type of jeans or "cut-offs." 41 A courtesy runner may run for another courtesy runner. 42 B1, the pitcher, hits a single and advances to second on the next play. Her coach may replace her with a courtesy runner at this time. 43 Players currently in the game are eligible to serve as courtesy runners. 44 The pitcher and catcher are identified as the last players who physically played that position on defense, except for the top of the first inning. 45 The same courtesy runner may run for the pitcher and the catcher. 46 The pitcher or catcher must bat and reach base legally, or earn their way on base, to be eligible for a courtesy runner. 47 A delayed dead-ball situation occurs when the batter enters the batter's box with an illegal bat. 48 A pitched ball that contacts the batter in the strike zone is a dead-ball strike. 49 It is a delayed dead-ball situation when an illegal pitch occurs, but no pitch has been delivered to the batter.

5 50 The ball becomes dead immediately when a fielder leaves the field of play with one foot after catching a fair or foul batted ball. 51 A batted ball is any pitch that comes in contact with the bat resulting in a fair or foul ball; contact must be intentional. 52 A catch is not credited if the ball strikes anything other than a defensive player while it is in flight. 53 A crow hop is the replant of the pivot foot by the pitcher prior to delivering the pitch. 54 A fielder who catches a ball in flight while contacting or stepping on a collapsible fence, which is completely horizontal, is credited with a catch. 55 A force play is a play in which a runner loses the right to the base occupied and is forced to advance because the batter becomes a batter-runner. 56 A pitcher is in the 16-foot circle when both feet are within or partially within the line. 57 A substitute is any player who enters or re-enters the game. 58 An "infield fly" cannot be ruled if an outfielder catches the ball. 59 An attempted bunt is any movement of the bat toward the ball when the ball is over or near the plate. 60 Making a play is any action by a fielder who is attempting to catch or gain control of a batted or thrown ball. 61 The strike zone is the space over any part of home plate that is between the batter's highest shoulder and the knees when the batter assumes a natural batting stance.

6 62 The 3-foot running lane is a space defined by a line drawn 3 feet from and parallel to the first-base foul line starting halfway between home and first base and extending to first base in foul territory. 63 To be considered a strike, the entire circumference of the ball must pass through the strike zone in flight. 64 A circle 16 feet in diameter shall be drawn around the pitcher s plate. 65 A distance of 185 to 235 feet is required from home plate to the nearest obstruction on fair ground for interscholastic softball contests. 66 A pitcher may wear a glove that has a white circular design on the web of the glove. 67 A one-piece rubber bat grip and knob combination on a bat is legal. 68 A plastic visor may be attached to a catcher's helmet/mask provided it is not tinted. 69 A softball field contains an infield diamond and an outfield area that may or may not be enclosed by a fence. 70 A pitcher may lick her fingers and make contact with the ball without restriction. 71 A pitcher may throw to a base while a foot is in contact with the pitcher's plate after having taken the pitching position. 72 Either foot may be removed first when a pitcher is removing herself from the pitching position. 73 If the ball slips from the pitcher s hand during the backswing or forward motion, it is a pitch and a ball is called on the batter unless the batter swings at a hittable pitch. 74 Once the ball has been returned to the pitcher, she has 10 seconds to release the next pitch. 75 A number at least 6 inches high is required on the back of each player's jersey.

7 76 A state association may, on an individual basis, permit a player to participate while wearing a different style uniform for religious reasons. 77 Casts and splints may be worn, if padded with closedcell, slow-recovery foam padding no less than one- half inch thick. 78 Players on the same team are not permitted to wear a combination of metal cleats and non-metal cleats. 79 A run does not score if a preceding runner is declared the fourth out for missing a base, and the defensive team selects that out to its advantage. 80 The catcher is charged with an error on a third strike, passed ball that permits the batter to reach first base. 81 A team may finish the game with eight players in the batting order. 82 After the game starts, the umpires are sole judges as to whether conditions, including grounds, are fit for play. 83 If teams cannot agree on ground rules, the umpires shall formulate the ground rules. 84 The game begins when the first pitch is thrown. 85 A player not listed as an eligible substitute on the lineup card is permitted to enter the contest. 86 A player who has been rendered apparently unconscious during the game may resume participation when cleared by an appropriate healthcare professional. 87 An offensive substitute has officially entered the game when the ball is live and she replaces a runner on base or takes her place in the batter's box. 88 Substitutions may be reported to the plate umpire at the time of the change or projected for a future change.

8 89 An umpire's decision involving judgment may be appealed by requesting assistance from another umpire. 90 If an undershirt is worn under the powder blue umpiring shirt, it shall be white and long-sleeved. 91 The rules committee strongly recommends there be at least two umpires. 92 Umpire jurisdiction begins just prior to the pregame conference with coaches and captains. 93 The ball must physically be in one of the pitcher's hands for the look-back rule to be in effect. 94 A team may use the DP/FLEX option provided it is made known prior to the start of the game. 95 It is possible for the DP and the FLEX to both play defense at the same time. 96 The DP can be substituted for by the FLEX or any legal substitute. 97 Once a defensive position is established in an inning, a player may not switch to another defensive position. 98 All of the following will result in a team warning to the head coach for submitting an inaccurate lineup card, EXCEPT: Changing a player's name. Changing a player's number. 99 The use of the DP/FLEX is required. 100 A pitcher may not wear any item on the pitching hand, wrist, arm or thighs which may, in the umpire's judgment, be distracting to the batter. 101 Gloves may be entirely optic in color. 102 The knob of the bat may be covered with grip tape. 103 A Crow Hop is the replant of the pivot foot prior to delivering the pitch. 104 Faking a tag is always considered Obstruction 105 A team may use the DP/FLEX option by informing the umpire at any time during the game. 106 The DP may play defense at any position. 107 Chewing Tobacco is permitted by coaches only. Adding a player. Adding a substitute. Changing a player's position.

9 108 Stopwatches used by coaches in the coaching box is prohibited 109 Protested games are not allowed in LHSAA contests. 110 A ball touched by a spectator is immediately dead. 111 An illegal pitch is a delayed dead ball. 112 If a hole has been created in front of the pitchers plate, the pivot foot may be no higher than the level plane of the ground. 113 A pitcher may take as many warm up pitches as she can, as long as it is within the 1-minute time limit. 114 It is an illegal pitch if the pitcher delivers the ball with a player, besides the catcher, in foul territory. 115 A fielder shall not act in a manner to distract the batter. 116 The pitcher has 20 seconds to release the next pitch after receipt from the catcher. 117 At the start of a new half inning, the pitcher must use the ball that was used for the previous batter. 118 Failure of the batter to be ready 10 seconds after the ball is returned to the pitcher, the umpire shall call a strike. 119 The batters hands are considered part of the bat 120 Malicious contact supersedes obstruction 121 Courtesy runners are not allowed in LHSAA contests. 122 A player may not be a substitute for any player in the half inning that she ran as a courtesy runner. 123 Using video tape or other digital device for the purpose of making calls or rendering decisions is prohibited. 124 Umpire jurisditction begins 30 minutes before all games.

10 125 The plate umpire shall immediately remove a player from the game that exhibits symptoms or behaviors consistent with a concussion. 126 Umpires socks, shoes and belts shall be black. 127 Umpires are required to maintain line-up cards with line ups and substitutes. 128 First Names only and numbers may be submitted by coaches on line up cards. 129 Officials shall maintain an ethical approach while participating in fourms, cht rooms and all forms of social media. 130 Officials shall master the rules of the game necessary to enforce the rules, and shall exercise authority in a firm, impartial and controlled manner. 131 Use of LHSAA mechanics for officials is optional. 132 Softball Umpires may wear black coats 133 In an unfenced field, chalk or imaginary out of bounds lines shall be established to define live ball area. 134 If cars are parked as an out of bounds line, the umpires should consider these the same as bleachers and the ball becomes dead if it bounces into a line of cars. 135 If a pitched ball is entirely within the batters box and strikes the batter or her clothing, she is awarded first base. 136 The batter is not required to avoid being hit by a pitched ball entirely within the batters box. 137 If a batter swings at a pitch and her person or clothing is directly struck by the pitch, she is awarded first base. 138 The rear tip of home plate and the front edge of the pitchers plate shall measure 43 feet. 139 The pitchers circle shall be 20 feet in diameter drawn at the front edge of the center of the pitchers plate.

11 140 The pitchers plate shall measure 24" X 6". 141 The batters box shall measure 3' X 7' 142 When an outfield fence is not present, the foul lines should extend a minimium of 185'. 143 First, second and third bases may be the colors, white, red or blue. 144 White softballs may be used if agreed by both Head Coaches. 145 The home team shall provide enough new balls to permit the game to proceed without unecessary delay. 146 Wood bats are prohibited, regardless of diameter. 147 Any equipment judged by the umpire to be potentially dangerous is illegal and should be removed for the game. 148 More than one appeal may be made on a play. 149 A runner establishes her own base path when she is not being played upon. 150 A coach may have the umpire award an intentional walk with no pitches being thrown. 151 One American Flag 2" X3" maxium is allowed on each players uniform. 152 Jewlery is prohibited with exceptions for religious and medical alert medals. 153 Earrings are prohibited unless they are covered with tape or band-aids. 154 A player who is discovered as an illegal substitute is restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game. 155 The game may not begin until the head coach attends the pregame conference. 156 Each team, while on defense, may not be granted more than 3 charged conferences without penalty during a 7-inning game. 157 Each team, while on offense, may not be granted more than 2 charged conferences without penalty during any inning.

12 158 A game shall be forfeited when a team cannot provide 9 players to begin a game. 159 Obstruction by the catcher is a delayed dead ball 160 Deliberately removing a helmet in live ball territory while the ball is live is an immediate dead ball