2011

1. 2011 Rules Interpretation Meeting And Clinic March 20 Sponsored by Kyle Miller, Inc.

2. Agenda • Call to order (1:00-1:05) • Kevin Miller (Kyle Miller Inc) (1:05-1:10) • LVASA Elections (1:10-1:20) • ASA Information (1:20-1:25) • BomboyTourn. • 4/10 Meeting) • Clinic and Rules Interp. (1:25-3:45) • Wrap Up (3:45-4:00)

3. Kyle MillerCollege Showcase

4. LVASAElections

5. ASAInformation Mallory Bomboy Tournament

6. USSSA

7. Clinic and Rules Interp. • USSSA Opening, General Info. • General Umpiring • Line-up Cards • Batting Out of Order • Look Back Rule • DP/Flex • Obstruction Interference • Break • Positioning/Field Coverage • Test • Questions

8. Line up

9. About the Lineup Card Note: DP is NOT a defense position { • Lineup defensive positions CAN be juggled/switched/ changed • A player can play any defensive position any time {

10. Subbing & Reentering 8

11. Line-up Question and Answer Samples and Techniques

12. A team may have as many as twelve players in the starting line-up

13. For the DP/Flex to be in the game, they must be in the starting line-up approved by the umpire

14. A team may begin the game with 8 players

15. A player shows up late and is not listed as a starter or substitute on the line-up card. She is ineligible to play in the game Eligible roster members may be added as substitutes at any time

16. Pam comes to bat in the top of the 1st inning in the 3rd position in the batting order and is wearing #8. The official line-up has Pam batting in the 3rd position #17. Numbers can be corrected with no warning or penalty

17. An additional player can be listed anywhere in the starting line-up

18. An Additional player can play any defensive position but must keep the same position in the batting order.

19. Battingout of order

20. Batting out of Order

21. Look Back Rule

22. Look Back Rule • Is in effect when the ball is live, the batter/runner has reached 1st base or has been called out, and the pitcher has the ball in the circle • Any runner in motion may continue without stopping or stop and immediately move directly back to the base last touched or attempt to advance • Once a runner stops on a base, she may not move off of that base

23. Look Back Rule • A runner who overruns 1st base and does not advance without delay to 2nd base, is committed to first and stop • The runner, off base, may not stand motionless • Failure of the runner to respond as indicated shall cause the umpire to signal out • The rule does not apply if: • The pitcher no longer has the ball in the circle • The pitcher makes a play on a runner • The pitcher fakes a throw

24. Look Back Rule Question and Answer Samples and Techniques

25. To be considered within the pitcher’s circle, the pitcher must have feet totally inside the pitcher’s circle Both feet must be within or partially within

26. If the pitcher places the ball in her glove and the glove and ball between her legs to adjust her hair, she is not considered to have possession of the ball The pitcher has possession of the ball (eg., has the ball in her hand, glove, under arm, or chin, between legs)

27. With a runner on third base and a walk to the batter, the back rule does not go into effect until the batter-runner reaches 1st base

28. The pitcher must have possession of the ball in the pitcher’s circle and be looking at the runner for the runner to be called out on the Look Back Rule There does not need to be any recognition by the pitcher

29. A batter-runner who overruns 1st base and delays in her attempt to advance to 2nd base is required to return to 1st base and stop

30. DP / Flex

31. DP/FLEX RULE ADOPTED (3-3-6) • Designated Player (DP)/FLEX Rule replaces DH Rule. • DP/FLEX Rule allows for more participation and flexibility in the game. • Gives coaches more options: • not to use the DP/FLEX at all, • use it to the same extent as the DH was used, or • use the DP/FLEX option to its fullest extent.

32. DP/FLEX RULE ADOPTED (3-3-6) • A DP does not have to be used. • If used it must be noted on the starting lineup. • A team using the DP starts the game with 10, but could end with nine or 10. • Practical application and sample exercises to follow.

33. THE LINEUP CARD • The DP is the offensive player and must remain in same batting position for entire game. • The name of player for whom the DP is batting (FLEX) will be placed in the No.10 position in lineup.

34. THE LINEUP CARD • If replaced by a substitute, the DP position remains in the lineup. • A starting or substitute DP may re-enter one time, as long as the DP returns to the original position in the batting order.

35. ILLEGAL SUBSTITUTION • The FLEX may not go into one of the first nine positions for someone other than the DP. • An illegal substitution results.

36. KEY POINTS • The role of the DP/FLEX is never terminated. • A team may go from 10 to nine players and back to 10 any number of times during the game. • The game may end with 10 or nine players.

37. EASY REMINDERS • The DP can never be on defense only. • The FLEX can never be on offense only. • The DP and the FLEX can never be on offense at the same time. • The DP and the FLEX can play defense at the same time.

38. ObstructionandInterference

39. Definition obstruction Obstruction is the act of • A defensive player or team member that hinders or prevents a batter from striking or hitting a pitched ball. • A fielder, while • not in possession of the ball, or • which impedes the progress of a runner or batter-runner that is legally running bases

40. Definition interference Interference is the act of an offensive player or team member that impedes, hinders, or confuses a defensive player attempting to execute a play. Interference is interference when it interferes!!!

41. Obstruction on the batter → delayed dead ball, after play is finished: • option coach – penalty on catchers obstruction or taking the result of the play • batter has received first base safely and all runners have at least advanced one base → result stands, no option to the coach (3) when coach does not take option ‘catchers obstruction’ is ruled : batter to first base, runners return to their base unless forced to next base

42. Obstruction on the batter-runneror runner Catcher/fielder needs to have the ball before standing in front of the plate/base/runner → delayed dead ball, after play is finished: (1) runner reaches the base he/she would have reached when no obstruction would have occurred → result stands (2) runner does not reach the base he/she would have reached when no obstruction would have occurred → dead ball, umpires awards the base to the runner that he/she would have reached when no obstruction would have occurred. exception: when an early leave, missed base or interference occurred an proper appeal is possible. (3) runner overruns the base he/she would have reached when no obstruction would have occurred → result stands

43. Interference by Umpire interferes with catcher → delayed dead ball 1) if runner is out → out stands 2) if runner is not out → dead ball and all runners return to their base at the time of the throw

44. Interference by On deck batter interferes with a defensive player 1) who is attempting to retire a runner → ball is dead, runner closest to home plate is out, and all runners return to their base at the time of interference. 2) who is attempting to catch a fly ball → ball is dead, batter-runner is out, and all runners return to their base at the time of interference.

45. Interference by batter - interferences with the catcher, while out of the batters box → ball is dead, batter is out, and all runners return to their base at the time of the throw. - interferes intentionally with the catcher, while in the batters box → dead ball, batter is out, and all runners return to their base at the time of the throw. - interferes with a play at home plate → dead ball, batter is out, and all runners return to their base at the time of the throw.

46. Interference by batter-runner - interferes with the catcher or fielder throw to first base while running outside the 1 metre lane → dead ball, batter-runner is out, and all runners return to their base at the time of the throw - interferes with a fielder fielding or throwing the ball or with a fair batted ball → dead ball, batter-runner is out, and all runners return to their base at the time of the interference - interferes intentionally with a play at home plate → dead ball, batter- runner and the runner closest to home plate are out, and other runners return

47. Interference by Runner - interferes with a fair-batted ball, before passing an infielder (excluding the pitcher) → dead ball, runner is out, and other runners return to their base at the time of the interference (if the interference is preventing from a double play, the umpire will also give the second out). - interferes with a fair-batted ball, intentionally → dead ball, runner is out, and other runners return to their base at the time of the interference (if the interference is preventing from a double play, the umpire will also give the second out). - interferes while he/she already has scored or is already out, → dead ball, the runner closest to home plate is out, and other runners return to their base at the time of the interference

48. Interference by Coach/batboy/dugout players • interferes with attempt to retire a runner → ball is dead, runner closest to home plate is out, and all runners return to their base at the time of interference unless forced by batter • interferes with a fly ball → ball is dead, batter-runner is out, and all other runners return to their base at the time of interference.

49. Any person other then team members Ball dead, umpire rewards bases they would have reached in the umpire opinion!!!!

50. Obstruction