Stump the Ump Answers– December 2006

Situation 1 – False. Rule 1.10. The weight to length restriction only applies to bats in the Senior and Big League programs.

Situation 2 – True. Rule 1.17 allows for a female catcher to use the short model protector.

Situation 3 – True. Rule 2.00 – Force Play and 4.09(a). The runner on first was required to tag up by rule and the force was removed when the batter-runner was out on the catch.

Situation 4 – False. Rule 2.00 – Obstruction & 7.06(b). The obstructed runner was NOT being played on, so the play should have stayed live until either the obstructed runner was played on or all other play was finished.

Situation 5 – False. Rule 2.00 – Quick Return. Never, ever allow a pitcher to pitch when the batter is not alert and paying attention.

Situation 6 – True. Rule 3.08(a) (2). By rule a substitute is in the game when as a batter he/she steps into the batter's box.

Situation 7 – False. Rule 4.04. With a continuous batting order a player is in the lineup and is allowed to come back when available.

Situation 8 – False. Rule 4.07. The rule does not allow for a manager to participate until he/she sits out one “physically” played game.

Situation 9 – False. Rule 4.09(a) EXCEPTION. This is still a force out no matter how it was made or who made it.

Situation 10 – False. Rule 6.03 APPROVED RULING.

Situation 11 – False. Rule 6.05(h).

Situation 12 – False. Rule 6.05(j). In order to call a batter-runner out for interference the batter-runner must be at least halfway (30’ on the 60’ diamond & 45’ on the 90’ diamond) to first base and out of the running lane.

Situation 13 – False. Rule 6.06(b). The umpire should have called the batter out for moving from one box to the other while the pitcher was winding up.

Situation 14 – False. Rule 6.07(b). The umpire should have called the “proper” batter (Debbie) out for the batting out of order, not Erica and removed Erica from second base.

Situation 15 – True. Rule 6.07(d). The one pitch to sixth batter legalized what the fourth batter did in his/her at bat. That makes the fifth batter the next proper batter.

Situation 16 – False. Rule 9.02(c). The umpire making the original decision MAY ask another umpire for information.

Softball

Situation 17 – False. Rule 1.11 (a) (1). The wearing of hats or visors is optional.

Situation 18 – True. Rule 7.08(a) (5).

Situation 19 – True. Rule 7.08(a) (5).

Situation 20 – True. Rule 7.08(a) (5).

Situation 21 – False. Rule 6.06(a). To be called out for an illegally batted ball the batter must have one or both feet ENTIRELY ON THE GROUND outside the batter's box.